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GEMS    FROM    THE    TALMUD. 


GEMS 


FROM 


THE    TALMUD, 


Granelateo  into  JEnglfsb  Vevee, 


BY 


Rev.  ISIDORE    MYERS,  B.A. 


in  the  Talmud  told, 

That  book  of  gems,  that  book  of  gold, 
Of  wonders  many  and  manifold. 

Long  fellotu. 


»  y      ■»  '  , 


«JA£)VSyr- 


New  York  :   G.    P.    PUTNAM'S   SONS. 
London:  SIMPKIN,   MARSHALL   &   CO.,   LTD. 

1894. 

[All  Rights  Reserved.] 


J/fi-M^t 


cs 


■  ii     i 


t  i    « 


t        .  i     , 


'  .  c      * 


•  •       •  • 

•  •  *      *  <   *     « 


MA  I  A) 

REVERENTLY   AND   AFFECTIONATELY 

2Detricattt> 


TO 


MY    DEAR    FATHER 


442817 


PREFACE. 


The  Hebrew  passages,  selected,  with  few  excep- 
tions, from  the  Babylonian  Talmud,  have  been 
carefully  pointed,  and  the  references  are  given 
both  in   Hebrew  and  in  English  characters. 

As  regards  the  metrical  translations,  which 
constitute  the  chief  novel  feature  of  this  book, 
many  of  them  first  appeared  some  years  ago 
in  the  Melbourne  Jewish  Herald,  some  in  the 
same,  some  in  a  modified  form ;  all  the  others 
were  composed  more  recently  in  England,  at 
various  times  and  in  different  places.  The  idea 
of  having  these  verses  published  was  frequently 
suggested  to  me  by  many  who  were  present  at 
my  lectures  on  the  Talmud,  a  course  of  which  I 
have  had  the  honour  to  deliver  in  London  and 
in  the  Provinces. 

It  has  been  my  endeavour,  as  far  as  possible 
to  make    the   translations    literal,   and,    where   it 


Vlll     .  PREFACE. 

has  been   necessary   to   paraphrase,   I    have  tried 
to  preserve  the  full  sense  of  the  original. 

The  sentences  have  been  arranged  in  some 
order  according  to  the  subjects  they  treat  of,  and 
an  Alphabetical  Index  at  the  end  of  the  book 
should  be  found  useful. 

My  best  thanks  are  due  and  are  hereby  con- 
veyed to  all  friends,  Jewish  and  Christian,  who 
have  kindly  given  me  useful  hints  and  sugges- 
tions, or  have  in  other  ways  encouraged  me  in 
my  work.  More  especially  am  I  indebted  to  a 
gentleman  whose  extreme  modesty  forbids  me  to 
name  him  here  openly,  but  whose  valuable  ser- 
vices impel   me  to  thank  him   most  cordially. 

In   offering  to  the  public  as  specimens  a  few 

out  of  the  numerous  jewels  of  Rabbinic  thought 

found  in   the  vast  Talmudic    store-house,    not    to 

mention  the    other  rich    treasuries    of  Rabbinical 

Literature,    it     is     my    sincere    hope    that    these 

"  Gems    from    the    Talmud,"    though    differing   in 

beauty   and    lustre,    will    all   prove  valuable   and 

acceptable. 

I.  M. 

London,  December,  1893. 


ft  -    *   A  *  ' 


•      T—  •T~"  •••• 

•  «  •        • 


(F>  f>  pbv?) 


"  The  words  of  the  Wise  are  as  goads, 
And  as  nails  that  are  firmly  fastened 
Are  the  words  of  Collectors  of  Sayings." 

{Ecclesiastes  xii.   n). 


B 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


dhdh  nfam  nn^nn  rrrin  (i) 

•t-:  •:  t  t     •    :  t  x/ 

:  dhdh  n^an  nsiDi 

•   T        "" "  •       "  T 

(*  7"'  PTO) 


npny  nbn5?n  Wi|   (2) 


t     :  t 


nom  nprprVi  (3) 

V    V  T  |t     t  :                T            w/ 

:        1     •      •  |:     -  :  *                   T 

•  t   t     -  v              ••••-:-  ••     t  :     •        I     •• 

C  ''  3"3) 


fanfe^s  msDft  nK&nn^  oete   (4) 

••     t  :    •  -  v  v   -    :  t    -    -   v  ••    : 

(: '»  3"3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  3 

The  Essence  of  Religion. 
(1)  All  virtues  doth  beneficence  transcend, — 
With  it  the  Torah  doth  begin  and  end. 

(Sot  ah  14a). 


Charity  Superior  to  Sacrifices. 
(2)  An  act  of  charity's  of  greater  worth 
Than  all  the  sacrificial  rites  on  earth. 

(Succah  49^). 


Charity  and  Benevolence  our  Advocates. 
(3)  The  kindly  deeds  that  we  increase, 

And  all  the  generous  gifts  we've  given, 
Ascend  as  messengers  of  peace, — 
To  plead  for  us  they  never  cease 
Before  our  Father  that's  in  heaven. 


(Baba  Bathra  \oa). 


Charity  Atones  for  the  Gentiles. 
(4)  As  Israel's  sacrifices  once  atoned 

For  sins  which  were  with  true  repentance  owned, 

So  is  the  charity  of  Gentiles  sure 

For  all  their  sins  atonement  to  procure. 

{Baba  Bathra  10b). 
B2 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


tt;t         -  t  J:"  •:        N 


^  npne  jniun  ^   (6) 
♦  rt^Q  #tfa  Tisna 
Dnrrs  to$BTj 
:  rtoia  maw  wya  ^ana 

(:  'V  3"3) 

nakre^  rwrw  pt  (7) 

v  v    -    :      •  It   t  :         |     ••  v'  ' 

:  nap  non  »l^  kW 

t   v  v  v  •  :  t    •/ 

(:u"p  coio) 


ri^tfti  nsSfp-^  nj  (Hrnfc  (8> 

t        I         :  •     :  v    v  t    ;    • 

t  :  t  :  t  Jt    t  :  J  - 

t        I         :     v    :  v    v  t    :    • 

(*  '!>  3*3) 

n$n$rp  m  Q^s&n  S3  (9) 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  5 

The  Poor. 

(5)  O  let  thy  house  stand  open  wide, 

That  in  thy  home  the  poor  abide ! 

(Aboth  I.  5). 


Kind  Words  to  the  Poor. 
(6)  Who  gives  his  mite  to  one  distress'd, 
With  many  blessings  shall  be  bless'd ; 
Who  gives  with  words  of  sympathy, 
With  twice  as  many  bless'd  shall  be. 

{Baba  Bathra  gb). 


Alms. 
(7)  All  gifts  of  alms  their  recompense  shall  gain 
According  to  the  kindness  they  contain. 

{Succah  49$). 


The  Poor  Man's  Mite. 
(8)  As  oft  by  joining  scale  to  scale, 
Is  made  the  largest  coat-of-mail, 
So,  added,  all  the  mites  you've  given 
Shall  reach  a  large  amount  in  heaven. 

(Baba  Bathra  ga). 


The   Uncharitable. 
(9)  To  claims  of  charity  who  shuts  his  eyes, 
To  idol-worshippers  himself  allies. 

(Kethuboth  68a). 


6  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


• 


0  'n  onv) 


rfcinrrm  ^a  'wx&  hb  (io> 

•  i  DW    'Sttrttf    &K3 

.    t  J  ••  •   : 


('P  '*  PUf>) 


iWa  iS-yjn  (u) 

|  t    v    :  T    -    T 


-♦  th\yz  «om  D^p  Dnn  mfew  (12) 

t^t  ::•  *lTi  *t:  t  t    -;         >         ' 

♦  iDfina  ^na  n^p  nn 

♦  ijteysa  Bfc  n#p  ^na 

•      •  •  "*  V    I  T  V      J 

♦  irriK  d*m&  D^a  ntfp  m 

■   :  -  v  |t 

♦  DHiK    D^iD    D*M    D*tfp    D*a 

♦  cm-isa  nn  d*#p  d*m 

t     t-  -    :  -  -    jT 

♦nato  spa  n^jj  on 

♦  haw  nna  n^p  epa 
♦  free  p  ntfp  nna 

♦  innasa  m&  r\wp  (* 

♦  D?3tt  nK'p  njv»i 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  7 

Neglecting  the  Sick. 
(10)  Who  fails  to  tend  the  sick  incurreth  guilt 

As  though  by  him  had  human  blood  been  spilt. 

{Nedarim  \oa). 


Give  to  God. 
(n)  Give  unto  Him  of  that  which  is  His  own ! 
For  thou  and  thine  belong  to  Him  alone. 

(Aboth  III.  8). 


Charity  the  Mightiest  Thing  on  Earth. 
(12)  There  are  ten  strong  things  in  the  world  : — 
The  rock  is  strong,  but  iron  breaks  it ; 
The  iron's  strong,  but  fire  can  melt  it ; 
The  fire  is  strong,  water  can  quench  it ; 
Water  is  strong,  the  clouds  absorb  it ; 
The  clouds  are  strong,  the  winds  disperse  them; 
The  wind  is  strong,  a  man  withstands  it ; 
A  man  is  strong,  but  fear  unmans  him ; 
Man's  fear  is  strong,  but  wine  removes  it ; 
And  wine  is  strong,  but  sleep  dispels  it ; 
But  stronger  than  all  these  is — death ! 
Yet  charity  can  save  from  death ! 

(Baba  Bat  lira  10a). 


8  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

?DiNn  fo|  psn*#  nnto  TH  •rtwit  (13) 

T     T     T  T  ~        :  *  V  T  |     V      V  •  "  >       *" 


('t>  7"'  fnfi) 

-"  «TgK) " 

(i4) 

•               •  • 

♦  wrni  pun  *an  na 

1  B^imi  nan  rm  pina  &k 
..  1   _     ..v:     T  -    1  _ 

(:  a"Sp  wo) 

rnnarrSy  oman  S2  (15) 
:  wna  DmnK-S#  ijrna  kw  wra 

•       T  T        T    ;       -  V  ^       •-    .  v  -  T~ 

0  3"5  w*) 


nvn|n-Sy  bttj^o  Si)   (16) 

•TT"  I     •  TT  I        •       -J      "    I 

•  •  •  • 

t  wtgrrrfi  vSa  parr$  pa 

0  f>";p  roc) 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  9 

A   Good  Heart. 
(13)  What  leads  to  all  the  good  that  man  can  find  ? 
A  heart  that's  ^ood  to  Heav'n  and  to  mankind. 

o 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XIV.  5). 


Honour  God  by  Imitating  Him. 
(14)  You'll  then  best  glorify  your  heav'nly  Sire, 
When  to  resemble  Him  you  will  aspire, — 
Abounding,  like  the  Merciful  above, 
In  tender  mercy  and  in  gracious  love. 

{Shabbatk  133^). 


The  True  Child  of  Abraham. 
(15)  Whosoever  on  showing  compassion  is  bent, 
From   the   patriarch  Abram    may  claim  his 
descent. 

{Betsa  2,2b). 


Only  the  Merciful  shall  Receive  Mercy. 
.(16)  Who  shows  compassion  to  mankind, 
From  Heaven  shall  compassion  find ; 
But  who  compassion  doth  not  own, 
To  him  shall  none  from  Heav'n  be  shown. 

{Shabbatk  151^). 


10  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

-«  n#)N|  b*  nwt?  mfat?  (17) 

•  •         •  't;--;  .   r    _.    _  T 

(•  v"v  mo>) 


(3"'  'b  do6) 


-pnx-1?^  Ptf^gp  ^n   (is> 
DiSs?  sprt-n  ciSe>  inix 
nnan-nx  snix 

•  .    -  ... 


(6"'  03-)  f>"7) 


nairna  Kjfcn   (i9) 


13-]?  rW?n  xw  mnx-Sa   (20} 
♦  n?nx  ntaa  tn  ^a 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  II 

Jewish  Characteristics. 
(17)  By  three  distinctive  signs  we  trace 
The  members  of  the  Jewish  race  : — 
A  tender  heart,  self-reverence, 
And  practical  benevolence. 

(Yebamoth  79a). 


Love  of  Humanity. 
(18)  Strive  to  be  of  Aaron's  true  disciples — 
Loving  and  pursuing  peace  each  day, 
Ever  loving  all  thy  fellow-creatures, 
Bringing  them  beneath  religion's  sway ! 

(Aboth  I.  12). 


Hatred  is  Murder. 
(19)  The  man  that  hates  his  neighbour  may  be  said 
To  be  of  those  that  human  blood  have  shed. 

(Derech  Eretz  Rabba  11). 


Love. 
(20)  When  Love  upon  a  motive  doth  depend, 
'Twill  with  the  motive  end  ; 
But  when  it  hath  no  motive,  Love  is  sure 
For  ever  to  endure. 

(Aboth  V.19). 


12  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


r\iwn  rbteib  nnnK   (21) 
:  n^BTi  nS&na  nwfcn 

t  -  v  v    -    :  t  :  •      : 

(:  o"p  '7?:o) 


C  f>"!>  P35) 


>%  $m  (22) 

••   :   -  t  I   t;   -   : 


DHxrr^-nx  p  *n   (23) 

T    T      T  T  V  I       T  •'%•: 

('1  '6  JJ13f») 

fprrrHj  pn-Sx  (24) 


i  *w  P  TB8^   (25) 

:  inx  kW  w  p  rx# 

tv  tv  •  :       I    t       l     ••  v 

Dixn-Srnx  Sspa  in  (26) 

t  t    t  t  v  ••  J  -  :  ••  v:         N        ' 

i  rrtfcj  ens  nnp? 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  1 3 

Love  and  Hate. 

(21)  When  love  or  hatred  sways  the  heart, 
A  man  will  from  his  rules  depart. 

{Sanhedrin  105^). 

The  Golden  Rule. 

(22)  Whatever  hateful  is  to  you 
Unto  your  neighbour  never  do ! 

{Shabbath  310). 


Judge  Charitably. 
(23)  Judge  charitably  every  man, 
And  justify  him  all  you  can  ! 


[Aboth  I.  6). 


Judge  Not. 
(24)  Judge  not  your  fellow-man's  condition 
Until  you  be  in  his  position  ! 


{Aboth  u.  5). 


Judge  Not  Alone. 
(25)  Judge  not  alone  !  for  none 
Can  judge  alone  save  One. 


{Aboth  IV  10). 


Courtesy. 
(26)  Receive  each  man,  at  every  meeting, 
With  affable  and  friendly  greeting ! 

{Aboth  I.  15) 


14  GEMS  FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


?  13^6    STTK    (27) 

:  ni-narrnx  iM»n 


(  f>  '7   PUf>) 


0"1>  '3  PUf>) 


ran  niM  w   (28) 

1  •      •  •         *  1 

1  •aWa  tSu  n*nn 

I  t   v     :  I    v   t  •   t 


hjn  ji^a  iiirian  (29) 
j  Nan  d^>  pSrt  iS  p* 

(•  '3  paw  'ory) 


eten  (8fojJ>  iasy  ■?♦£#  onx1?  h  nii  (30) 

•  *  * 

tfa^  hjjj  ^  pa'pen  ^  (31) 

:  DW  "sr^tf  &«a 

(:  p":  p"3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 5 

Respect. 
(27)  Who  does  respect  and  honour  find  ? 
Who  honours  and  respects  mankind. 

(Aboth  IV.  1). 


A  Neighbours  Honour. 
(28)  Thy  neighbour's  honour  e'er  be  prone 
To  hold  as  sacred  as  thine  own  ! 

{Aboth  II.  15). 


A  Neighbour's  Shame. 
(29)  Who  gets  his  honour  through  his  neighbour's 
shame, 
No  share  of  future  bliss  can  ever  claim. 

{Jer.  Chagiga  2). 


Putting  to  Shame. 

(30)  In  a  fiery  furnace  'tis  better  to  rush 

Than  a  fellow-man  publicly  put  to  the  blush. 

{Baba  Metsia  59a). 
#  *  «= 

(31)  Who  putteth  publicly  to  shame 
His  fellow-man,  incurreth  blame 

As  great  as  would  have  been  his  guilt 
If  he  his  neighbour's  blood  had  spilt. 

(Baba  Metsia  58^). 


1 6  GEMS  FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


C  tfj  r>"3) 


D*na  nnn  ♦aa-nx  psWi   (32) 

T      -  T        ^    T  I       V       "  I        " 


(/a  '7  ™f>) 


inixnS  Swrrbtt   (33) 
1  ^f£j3  *W? 


jnn  ])&h  nsp&n  b>3   (34) 
:  ij*»3  IBS  &N3 

(:  ft  yziv) 


p  nan  onnx  rhv  onaix  dk   (35) 

^      T                   T      T                          .    ..      -.               J      V    T                            •    :  •                 \*<*f 

I  t  Jt  :           I    v    ••   :             v  :    •  t 

^        T                    TT                             ...      -.                -                T._T  . 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  \J 

Putting  to  Shame. 
(32)  Who  puts  his  neighbour  publicly  to  shame 
To  future  bliss  shall  forfeit  all  his  claim. 

(JBaba  Metsia  59<z). 


A  Neighbour's  Disgrace. 
(33)  Seek  not  to  see  thy  neighbour's  face, 
If  he  be  still  in  his  disgrace ! 


{Aboth  IV.  23). 


Slander. 
(34)  The  man  that  is  to  slander  given 

Denies,  in  sooth,  the  God  of  Heaven. 

{Erachin  i$b). 


Calumny. 
(35)  If  other  men  have  spoken  of  you  ill, 

Be  still ! 
The  calumny,  though  great,  but  little  deem  ! 
If  you  have  spoken  ill  of  other  men, 

Why  then, 
The  calumny,  though  little,  great  should  seem, 
Until  you've  gained  their  favour  and  esteem. 

(Derech  Eretz  Zuta  I.). 
C 


1 8  GEMS   FROM    THE  TALMUD. 


C  V"?  2V3) 


(•  ?"^  ps) 


(:  f>"e  p"3) 


sp5h  jto  w   (36) 

|t     v       ;  p    T     T  •     T 


Dinn  Sn  n#p  (37) 
j  rea  ^3,5  nnv 


a$3  fcrjaa?  116  (38) 


r*n  T^e  !rcwi  (39) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 9 

A   Neighbour's  Property. 
{36^  Thy  neighbour's  goods  be  ever  prone 
To  hold  as  sacred  as  thine  own ! 

{Aboth  II  17). 


Honesty. 
(37)  To  rob  a  mortal  'neath  the  sky 

Is  worse  than  robbing  God  on  high. 

(Baba  Bathra  88a). 


The  Receiver   Worse  than  the  Thief, 
(38)  'Twas  not  the  mouse 
Within  the  house 

Committed  theft ; 
It  was  the  hole 
Where  what  it  stole 

It  brought  and  left. 


{Git t iti  45a). 


Usury. 
(39)  Who  lend  on  usury  are  like  in  guilt 

To  those  by  whom  the  blood  of  men  is  spilt. 

{Baba  Metsia  61  b). 
C2 


20  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

xtypp  jnT  T)55^  0-^V  D**  (40) 
nsnn  nnto  "ran1?  nw  Dtfi 

••    :  -  t  J    :  ••  -:  -  t      »     t  •    : 

mE"  t^  K'fi  ir«  (41) 

T    T      T  TV 


bdti  nni^  rtnan  wn0  Si  (42) 

v     ••  t  *  :    ~  • 

♦  ti^pi  nnto  d^pdh  nn 
Jiao^n  nnu  ninsn  ryn  jw  hh) 

dix-SdS  d  tut^  (43) 

TT  t:  T  •    j  -  %  ««r# 

tt         t:  •:-  •:  -: 

T  T  J       ••    V  T  t  1   :  1  V 

('J  '7  JlBf>) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  21 

Ditty  to  Ones  Neighbours. 
(40)  The  smallest  harm  regard  as  great, 
The  greatest  good  as  little  rate, 

In  deeds  which  you  to  others  do  ' 
The  smallest  good  as  great  esteem, 
The  greatest  harm  as  little  deem, 
In  deeds  which  others  do  to  you ! 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XLI.  11). 


The  Path  to  Choose. 
(41)  Which  is  the  path,  both  right  and  wise, 
That  for  himself  a  man  should  find  ? 
That  which  himself  much  dignifies, 
And  brings  him  honour  from  mankind. 


{Aboth  II.  1). 


Please  Man  to  Please  God. 

(42)  Who  gratifies  his  neighbours'  minds, 
In  him  God's  Spirit  pleasure  finds  ; 
Who  fails  men's  minds  to  gratify, 
Doth  fail  to  please  his  God  on  high. 

{Aboth  III  13). 

Contempt. 

(43)  Despise  no  man,  nor  scorn  his  pow'r ! 

Nor,  carping,  cast  on  aught  disgrace ! 
There's  not  a  man  without  his  hour, 
And  not  a  thing  without  its  place. 

{Aboth  IV.  3). 


22  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


nnn  hxbw  xnn  zb)]fc  (44) 

V      "*l   T    *  "  • 

0  fn  rap) 


C  1"'  p*)) 


vnna-^y  n^sgn  Sjd  (45) 

t  t    :  t  -  !••-;- 


Dniaa^  Tiaa  irx  (46) 


•  • 


C  'f»  fa  /t#) 


am-an  ix  (47) 
:  wjvvo  ix 


♦*am»i  ttk  ^sj  arwun  mk  (48) 

..-.-.  ..      -  ....  TT._  T-  N     ■  • 

:  wna  xSi  >nx  *6  ^ra  sag 

C  3"5  P3D) 


t   : 


GEMS   FROM  THE  TALMUD.  23 

Forbearance. 

(44)  With  your  left  hand  push  away ! 
With  your  right  hand  cause  to  stay  ! 

{Sotah  4.7a). 

Forgiveness. 

(45)  The  man  by  whom  his  neighbours  are  forgiven, 
Himself    sweet    pardon    shall   receive    from 

Heaven. 

{Rosk  Hashanah  ija). 


Turning  Foes  into  Friends. 
(46)  The  name  of  "  Bravest  of  the  Brave," 
On  whom  should  we  bestow  ? 
On  him  who  turns  into  a  friend 
His  greatest  mortal  foe. 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XXIII.  1). 


Friendship. 
(47)  Or  Comrade  sweet, 
Or  Death  I'd  greet. 


{laanith  23a). 


Fair-  Weather  Friends. 
(48)  At  the  door  of  the  rich  there  is  many  a  friend 
and  a  brother ; 
At  the  door  of  the  poor  there's  neither  the 
one  nor  the  other. 

{Shabbatk  32a). 


24  GEMS   FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


C  M  DU13) 


haqa  chn  i&sr^  (49) 


;  h»T>*  Q^ni  E^&fi  ■»  (50) 
VI  Wh^  fn  ion) 
*  n^rifl  ruw  ion 


(A  '7  fl«fi) 


fjSttyiik  haprr^s  (so 


^n&rrjft-^  (52) 

!  Y}pb  htsto  )m&  rwtfa 

(ft   '7   Wrf) 


(V'u>  pSw) 


&ihpi  nra  ^-^  d^l,  (53) 

F    V  1  t  J  - 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  25 

A    Word  at  Parting. 

(49)  When  from  thy  friend  thou  art  about  to  part, 

Let  some  instructive  word  be  spoken  ; 
That  word  he'll  ever  cherish  in  his  heart, 
And  thee  remember  by  its  token. 

{Berachoth  31a). 

Pray  for  Others. 

(50)  Who  for  his  neighbour's  sake  doth  plead 

That  God  to  him  a  gift  may  send, 
If  he  himself  that  boon  doth  need, 
Receives  that  boon  before  his  friend. 

[Baba  Kama  92a). 

Anger. 

(51)  Seek  not  thy  neighbour  to  assuage 
While  still  he  manifests  his  rage ! 

{Aboth  IV.  23). 


Comforting. 
(52)  Thy  fellow-man  to  comfort  do  not  try 

While  still  he  sees  his  dead  before  him  lie ! 

[Aboth  IV.  23). 


Blessing. 
•(53)  Another's  blessing  ne'er  despise, 

Though  looking  simple  in  thine  eyes ! 

(Megillah  l$a). 


26  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

toinn  rbhp  ^rrSs  rb^b  (54) 

C  ri  pi) 


«»a  n^D  nwn  kts  (55) 


•  T 


(:  3"3  |f3) 


1  R^p  (to  *wn  *6 

T  I  t  ••  :  T 


(:  ft  fi) 


*nnS  *o&n  (56) 

t  t   :  t  :    -  . 

t|  :  t    :  t  ••  : 


waa  din-Se'  inns?  nspa  onai«  (57) 

tt:  tt  v  :•  "  |8  ": 

:  M63  «W  fal 


t  t   : 


•^vv  toi^f?  (58) 

(:  f  p  p"3) 


GEMS   FROM    THE  TALMUD.  27 

Curse. 

(54)  Think  never  lightly  of  an  imprecation 

That's  uttered  by  a  man  of  lowly  station  ! 

{Baba  Kama  93a). 


Ingratitude. 
(55)  Cast  not  a  stone  into  the  well 

Whose  water  did  your  thirst  dispel ! 

{Baba  Kama  g2b). 


Misplaced  Gratitude. 

(56)  The  master  owns  the  wine  of  sweetest  flavour ; 

The  butler  gets  the  credit  for  the  favour. 

{Baba  Kama  g2b). 


Praise. 
(57)  Before  his  face  you  praise  a  man 
With  praises  but  a  few ; 
Behind  his  back  praise  him  with  all 
The  praise  that  is  his  due ! 


{Erubin  \%b). 


Improving. 
(58)  Improve  thyself- — and  then 
Improve  all  other  men  ! 


{Baba  Metsia  107b). 


28  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

^W    D»    (59) 
(:  irt  p"3) 

-"D^si^'n  fcisfcr  wa  wr  (6o) 

•  •  • 

Kiw  tea  DD"p  S^"-iS  naix 

0  ft  3*3) 


inn  tnx  nn^x  (6i) 

•  T     T  .  # 

:dhk  yai  von  nine 


0  **7) 


(: «  jf3) 


— «ian  YHj?  T^?13   (62) 

|     T   -  :  T    T     •.. 


rrtnan  >t  nx^b  vw  d*tn  (63) 
:  Dip&n  tj  nron  Y'W  TH3 

(':>  D'5pD  'Dry) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  29 

Reproving. 

(59)  Taunt  not  a  man  with  that  defect 
Which  in  thyself  thou  canst  detect ! 

(Baba  Metsia  59^). 

Reprovers  Reproved. 

(60)  Woe  to  the  age  in  which  the  judged,  alas, 
May  justly  on  their  judges  sentence  pass  ! 

If  one,  who  doth  reprove  his  neighbour,  cries, — 
"Do  thou  take  out  the  splinter  of  thine  eyes!" 
The  other  answers  in  a  chiding  tone, — 
"Do  thou  remove  the  beam  out  of  thine  own!" 

{Baba  Bat  lira  i<fi). 

Eccentricity. 

(61)  Let  no  one  act  as  if  he  had  a  mind 

That  differed  from  his  friends  and  all  mankind! 

{Dereck  Eretz  7). 


Submission. 
(62)  Your  neighbour  calls  you  "  Ass  "  before  your 
face — 
Then  quickly  on  your  back  a  saddle  place ! 

{Baba  Kama  92b). 


Appearances. 
(63)  Before  our  fellow-creatures  we  must  be 
As  blameless  as  before  the  Deity. 

{Jer.  Shekalim  3), 


30  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

run  rwre  ^so  twbDn  jnoxtf  trtppta  (64) 
*  :  ^dk  onnn  nnna  &$* 

(J  f  Pp  P3D) 

#  #  * 

('3  '3  ;"T7f>) 


-DTK!}    CH    D*Sfi#    rttW    (66) 

T    T     T                       "  T      \                            T               :                     x               ' 

i&N-nxi  vna-nx  nana  Dnxsr  rata 

v  :             •    t            v              ••   -    :  t  t    ...          )  ~  :  • 

ditSb  w  nW' 

••  ••  — •  •  — .         «•  — .  — 

•        •  •         •    • 

(:  '5  ]'DH'p) 


♦  *6tk  a^nn  nna  a^m  (67) 

(*  /D  PD1D3) 


'    GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  3 1 

Appearances. 

(64)  Whatever,  for  appearance*  sake, 

The  sages  have  forbidden, 
Should  not  be  done  by  any  man, 
Though  in  his  chamber  hidden. 

{Shabbath  146/;). 

"%?  v(C  "7fc 

(65)  From  that  which  is  unseemly, — run  ! 
And  that  which  seems  unseemly, — shun  ! 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  II  2). 


Parents. 
(66)  God,  your  Father  and  your  Mother, — 
They  have  each  a  share  in  you ; 
If  you  pay  to  both  your  parents 

That  respect  which  is  their  due, 
Then  together  with  your  parents 
God  considers  He  doth  dwell, 
And  by  honouring  your  parents 
You  do  honour  God  as  well. 

{Kiddushin  30/;). 


Example. 
(67)  The  sheep  will  follow  one  another : 
A  daughter  acts  as  acts  the  mother. 

{Kethuboth  63a). 


32  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


(:  fZ  MID) 


Kj»#3    Kj3«*1    KW     (68) 


T       — 


P  '3  ]W'p) 


nnv  nsy  r$pri  !»  (69> 


(:  p':  potj) 


n^  p  (70) 


-n£g  rvan  Sy5  ^  W^na-b  (71) 

!  M5©  pn 


0  i"p  d'ppp) 


DiS^'n  wn  bn-i   (72) 

T        -  T  N#  •       V 

y-r\vh  iiato  p*6  DiWn^ 

T       T  :     •         I      v  t  T  r     -   v 

(0)te   jT)9) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


33 


Home  Influence. 
(68)  The  prattle  of  a  child  out  for  a  walk 
Is  but  an  echo  of  his  parent's  talk. 


{Succah  $6l>). 


Hebrew  Servants. 
(69)  Who  doth  a  Hebrew  servant  gain 
Doth  for  himself  a  lord  obtain. 


{Kiddushin  20a). 


Servants. 
(70)  Enough  for  the  servant  if  he 
As  high  as  his  master  will  be. 


{Berachoth  58//). 


Guests. 
(71)  The  bidding  of  your  host  obey  ! 
Unless  he  bid  you — "  Go  away  !  " 


{Pesachim  86/') 


Peace. 
(72)  How  great  is  Peace!   to  Earth  below. 


It  is  what  leaven  is  to  dough  ! 


D 


(Perek  Hashalom). 


34  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

-D>p  zhfyn   Dnnn   n^S^-Sy  (73) 

*      *      * 
— n©1y  nbtyn  onyj  ntibtfhj  (74) 

:  DHDn  n^arWi  minyrrSsn  rrtwr^B 

•T-:  •;  -;  t-;t  -  j  t- 

('3  'f>  PUf») 


('p   '3  flYtf) 


trn?n-Sx  (75) 
1  *na$rr|0 


nttvn  dv  tost  nw^n  S:d  (76) 

(•  f»"»  jtupp) 


t  v  : 


—un$X!h  nn^w  rr$n  ^59  dxv'  (77) 

T  T        V         ••     V  I      "    :      •  T     -     •  T         T 

:  npn.3  ipi*  ^^r??  pK 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  35 

Society. 

(73)  The  world  depends  upon  these  three, — 
On  Justice,  Truth,  and  Harmony. 

{Aboth  1  18). 
*         #         ■* 

(74)  On  these  three  mighty  pillars  rests  society, — 

On  Education,  Charity,  and  Piety. 

{Aboth  I  2). 


The  Public. 
(75)  Yourself  you  must  not  separate 
From  sharing  in  the  public  fate  ! 


{Abotk  II  5). 


A   Community  in   Trouble. 
(76)  The  man  that  shares  a  congregation's  grief 
Shall  live  to  see  its  comfort  and  relief. 

{Taanith  \\a). 


Leaders  of  a  Community. 
(77)  As  the  eyes  of  a  bride,  when  with  beauty  they 
shine, 
Of  her  general  beauty  are  deemed  a  sure  sign, 
So  will  a  community's  leaders  attest, 
By  their  worth  and  their  fitness,  the  worth  of 
the  rest. 

( Taanith  24a). 
D  2 


3^  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

km  hv  arsn  m  is   (78) 
:  nm^d  trtnh  Ta» 

t  -  t:  -  :  ..  T 

C  3":  p"3) 


te!W  p  rtarv  obiy?  (79) 
wiirj!  pa  i1?  rraa  a-vi  &k| 


toxS  n&K  pi  p#  j^g  (80) 
nnx  rw  ji^sk 

T     T  •       -; 

avian  vSy  n^a 

T      ~  T       T  V        -;     - 

x^n  ijria  0hj£^  *)W   nbM   iWta 

e '.  P35)  ♦  Jv#*na  ngwa 

jnn  a^  (8i> 

1  vrrrnK 

C  '1  '7r;p) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  37 

Bad  Leaders. 
(78)  When  the  shepherd  is  wroth  with  his  flock, 
you  will  find 
That  the  shepherd  doth  render  the  bell-wether 
blind. 

{Baba  Kama  $2a). 


T/ie  Sanctity  of  Life. 
(79)  A  judge,  ere  he  the  sentence  doth  impart, 

Should  feel,  while  sitting  on  his  judgment- 
seat, 
As  if  a  sword  were  pointed  at  his  heart, 
And  dreadful  hell  were  open  at  his  feet. 

{Sanhedrin  Jb). 


Honest  Judges. 
(80)  The  judge,  in  judgment,  just  and  fair 
For  even  one  brief  hour, 
Is  deemed  as  if  he  had  a  share 
In  God's  creative  power. 


{Shabbath  10a). 


Justice. 
(81)  Let  justice  flow  from  its  pure  source, 

Though  piercing  mountains  in  its  course ! 

{Sanhedrin  6a). 


38  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


— fi&^ii  hrx?  wh  ♦atn  (82) 

}  • 

•       •  •  «  •  « 

0  'l   '7?») 


?  n^S  ^5  nty»£  tfStf  (83) 

♦  naina  hmw  by  nW  nnx 

t           :              ••     t  :     •               -;-                 •.•  -    - 

Sai^-nat  ^n  wra  ennsn  iratfntf  nmn 

••    t  :     •          v                        I         t                  |t  -       -      •    :      •   v  -    -   : 

♦  DSiyn  ntoNa  ma*  *&# 

T        ^     T  T  ... 

T      ~    T 

•**na  nrfr  SaoB^a  rna  na»n^  nW 

••     t  :     •  ;        1  v    t  :    -   -    :    • 


GEMS    FROM   THE  TALMUD.  39 

The    Verdict  of  a  Court. 
(82)  If  the  court  hath  seized  thy  garment, 
Which  to  thee  doth  not  belong, 
Go  upon  thy  way  rejoicing 

That  repaired  hath  been  the  wrong ! 

{Sanhedrin  "ja). 


Jewish  Loyalty. 
(83)  When  first  the  sons  of  Judah 

Were  into  exile  driven, 
Were  oaths  to  Jews  and  Gentiles 

Administered  by  Heaven. 
The  Jews  did  swear  they'd  never, 

Uniting  in  one  band, 
By  force  try  to  recover 

Their  freedom  and  their  land ; 
And,  loyal  to  the  countries 

Where  they  should  chance  to  dwell, 
Against  those  several  nations 

They  never  would  rebel. 
And  all  the  Gentile  nations 

Before  the  Lord  did  swear, — 
They  ne'er  would  use  oppression 

Too  great  for  Jews  to  bear. 


{Kethuboth  \\\d\. 


40  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


*im  n.^x  (84) 

0  ^  v"i) 


*  n^a-S^  ntffrtfa  ^sno  in   (85) 

t  ;  ..    -     .     .  ..  v.  \      _// 

T      T  ••    T     :     •     V 

('3  '3  wtf) 


nfto  fc  p«#  ffrsH?a  (86) 
:  rote  &&a  nana  nSs  nn^^  «Sa  ♦«# 

t     t  :  :  T    .     .  .  T 

0  3"P  WW) 


C  '3  rro) 


$6    p^p     (87) 


[tt»9  d^1?  n&fc  xbnun  ba  (88) 
:  Define  Dyx#  d*3|  ib  pri 

C  'I?  j'DH'p) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  4 1 

Obedience  to  Authority. 
(84)  Bless'd  is  that  age,  and  happy  is  its  fate, 
When  to  the  small  obedient  are  the  great ! 

{Rosh  Hashana  25b). 


Loyalty. 
(85)  With  loyal  heart  and  mind  sincere 

Pray  that  the  Government  may  thrive ! 
For  men,  if  unrestrained  by  fear, 
Would  swallow  other  men  alive. 

{A both  III.  2). 


Celibacy. 
(86)  Whosoever  spends  his  days  without  a  wife 
Has  no  blessing,  joy,  nor  comfort  in  his  life. 

( Yebamoth  62b). 


Marriage. 
(87)  To  join  two  in  wedlock  as  husband  and  bride 
Is  as  hard  as  it  was  the  Red  Sea  to  divide. 

{Sot ah  2a). 


Marrying  for  Money. 
(88)  Who  weds  a  woman  for  her  gold, 
His  children  worthless  shall  behold. 

{Kiddushin  joa). 


42  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


X2TU  n*nj  (89) 

t  *   •  •  • 

KIT1  p5 


(*  ;"0  P)J33») 


HBto    BTf«^   fa    fJftR?    f*H    (90) 

t    -:  -  •    :  TV 

C  '3  PD1P) 


♦  taBte  "tea}  Tnj  dik  njt  nSiy1?  (91) 
mx-h®  irvs  *na  n^a  rma  jw 


ayii  ^njyix  (92) 

C  D"}  P"3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  43 

Choosing  a   Wife. 
(89)  Step  down  in  life, 
And  take  a  wife  ! 
One  step  ascend, 
And  choose  your  friend  ! 

(  Yebamoth  63^). 


A    Wife. 
(90)  To  every  man's  assigned  a  wife 
According  to  his  acts  in  life. 


{Sotah  2a). 


Respect  your   Wife. 
(91)  Great  care  a  man  must  ever  take 

To  show  due  honour  to  his  spouse ! 
Since  only  for  his  wife's  sweet  sake 
Do  blessings  rest  upon  his  house. 

(Baba  Metsia  57#)« 


Consult  your   Wife. 
(92)  If  the  wife  you  have  is  small, 
Bend  to  her  and  whisper  all ! 


(Baba  Metsia  59a). 


44  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


(•  tf";  p"3) 


TPlJ    D1K    XJT  D^tyS    (93) 

•  t  t  t  ••  ;  t    ^  :  v        ' 

:  -  t  : 

t         :  t  t    ;  |  ••/ 

T  |    :  T      T     T 


♦  teup   iwx-nK  nni^n   (94) 

•  •  V  * 

•  •      •      • 

tt     :  I  v  v  :  t         :  t  t  I      •    :  -    -    : 

T      -  T     T 

I  v  t;  t  t  •  t   :     -  t  : 

(:  3"p  nw) 


*naa  ntoB>  tb&ti  ns  (95) 

t  -    •  ••        :  -    : 

:  arvna  *n:in  tiki  e*pj 

t      ••    ;  t:    •  ••    t    :  |-t 

(•  D"D  P"3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  45, 

Never   Wrong  your   Wife. 
(93)  The  greatest  care  a  man  must  take 
Never  to  wrong  his  spouse  ! 
Her  ready  tears  God's  wrath  awake, 
And  speedy  vengeance  rouse. 

(Baba  Metsia  590). 


Domestic  Peace. 
(94)  As  dearly  as  he  loves  himself, 

Who  doth  his  wife  adore, — 
Respecting  her  as  much  as  he 

Respects  himself,  and  more ; 
Who  leads  his  children,  step  by  step, 

The  path  of  right  to  tread, 
And  when  the  proper  time  is  nigh, 

He  causes  them  to  wed  • — 
This*  is  the  man  of  whom  we  find 

The  Holy  Scriptures  say, — 
"  And  thou  wilt  know  that  in  thy  home 

Shall  peace  for  ever  stay  I  " 

( Yebamoth  62b). 


Poverty  a  Cause  of  Strife. 
(95)  When  in  the  jar  no  barley's  longer  found, 

Then  quarrels  come  and   through  the  house 
resound. 

{Baba  Metsia  59^). 


46  GEMS    FROM    THE   TALMUD. 


mfe>an  in^K  nn&E>  din-'m   (96) 

T                          •                          ;  T      "    V                            T    T                  T                 K^        ' 

tt:  tIj    •—  ••                -t                  •: 

(:  3"3  ]»77WP) 


in^K  *\iuh  r\^t?n  (97) 
5  DbiyS  nria  p*D  n«h  tow 

t     ^  :  t     t  :         I  t     • 

(:  'j  o»ppp) 


C  ^»  P3D) 


iai?  aga  16)  aaa-ba  (98) 

T       T  T  ;  T        T  T 


nnto  r\m  (99) 
:  nSsnS  nnto  nana 

t  -;  -    :  t  t    t    - 

(j  yp  pipy) 


tfin  fftp  b9t#ji  jna  (100) 
t  tfnga?  *inv  n&fca  strop  rwa 


T  •       T 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


47 


Death  of  a   Wife. 
(96)  He  who  has  seen  the  death  of  his  first  wife 
Has  seen  the  Temple  ruined  in  his  life. 

(Sanhedrin  22b). 


A    Wife's  Earnings. 
(97)  Who  waiteth  for  the  earnings  of  his  wife, 
Shall  see  no  trace  of  blessing  in  his  life. 

{Pe  sac  him  $ob). 


A  Bad  Wife. 
(98)  Any  ache  and  any  smart 

Rather  than  an  aching  heart ! 
Any  ill  and  cruel  fate 
Rather  than  a  cruel  mate  ! 


{Shabbath  \\d). 


A   Good  Wife. 
(99)  A  gift  most  precious  has  that  man  in  life 
Who  has  secured  a  good  and  loving  wife. 

( Yebamoth  6$b). 


Woman  s  Intelligence. 
(100)  Intelligence  to  woman's  heart 

More  than  to  man's  did  God  impart. 


{NUda  45/;). 


48  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

4  NJVM.  XHK3    KJVM    *OD  (101) 

T      —    J  TT  t":  ttn  * 

•  :  kjvm  n&-d  arms  anno 

t      ••    ;  t  t     ••    :  t    ;   t 

nB>K-S#  nmfe  (102) 

T        •  V  T     ;       T        *  f 

(:  r"p  jjuwd) 


ntop-rc  d^  -Dba  (103) 
"inn  tatta  vntf 

:  t  v 

.         -j-      •  ••  y      ■         •  —  •      •       • 

(:  f>"»  pwp) 


>     » 


-D'pij?1?  hi;  nrrb>  rap  nnby  (104) 

:  fa  DSiyrrb  nn*o  trtn  ^  rwtfn 

T         r     T                    T  T       V      ;                                      T  ;     T  T       ;          • 

(:  u"p  |'D)7'p) 


Dnijpb  D'#p#  rrrtn  nn  &m  (105) 
♦  is  ^Snn  an?  ^55 

T  ••     ;  T   T  ••     :      • 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  49 

An  Aged  Woman. 

(101)  An  aged  man  is  in  the  house  distressing; 
An  aged  woman  's  in  the  house  a  blessing. 

{Erachin  19a). 

A    Woman's  Shame. 

(102)  A  woman  feels  humiliation 

More  than  a  man  feels  degradation. 

{Kethuboth  67b). 

Good  Women. 

(103)  Through  the  virtues  of  their  women, 

Which  upon  that  age  did  shine, 
Were  the  Israelites  from  Egypt 
All  redeemed  by  help  divine. 

(Sotah  lib). 


Woman's  Loquacity. 

(104)  The  world  with  ten  measures  of  Talking  is 

bless'd, — 
Nine  taken  by  Women,  and  one  by  the  rest. 

( Kiddush in  49b). 

Knowledge. 

(105)  'Tis  hard  to  get  knowledge,  or  gain  sacred  lore, 

As  vessels  of  gold  which  are  precious  in  cost; 
But  easy  to  lose  it  from  memory's  store, 
As  vessels  of  glass  can  be  broken  and  lost. 

{Chagiga  15a). 
E 


50  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

-dpi  tr&  r\)(h#  (106) 

•  •  fatirbe?  \rbw"hw  rata-Stf 

|t  |T  :      ..  -    ...  .  ... 

T    ;  I        -J  -  T  T  -     ••   :     •  v 

♦V^i  i)i  rot  rrbvrhti 

t  :  •    t  t  t       |  t    :    •.. 

♦  wn  mtt  pg  px-^ 
*an  jn^  nina  ibxn  mw 

(:  i'v  for) 

J  rtt#a  nasN^S  naxn-SN  (107) 

V    2       "•  V  T     V    V        •     •  —         N  #    X 

e  '0  '3  puf») 


rrjfre  ppijn  '1??  &♦<«  (108) 

:  Shu  rpi  win  nn 
C  irt  pv3) 

tfjffifc  irjtaa  ppij?n  Ijflj  (109) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  5 1 

Universal  Education. 
(106)  Three  crowns  adorn'd,  within  the  holy  Shrine, 
The  Altar,  Table,  and  the  Ark  divine. 
The  crown  of  Priesthood  Aaron  took  alone ; 
The  crown  of  Kingship  David  made  his  own  ; 
But,  lo !  the  Torah's  crown  remaineth  still, 
And  all  may  claim  it,  whosoever  will. 
Think  not  that  of  the  three  it  is  the  least, — 
Nay,  it  excels  the  crowns  of  King  and  Priest. 

( Yoma  72b). 


Learn  Now. 
(107)  Say  not — "  When  disengaged  I'll  learn  "  ! 
Such  leisure  you  may  never  earn. 

(Aboth  II.  $a). 


Education  Elevates. 
( 1 08)  Who  learn  the  Torah,  Gentiles  though  they  be, 
Are  like  High  Priests  in  worth  and  dignity. 

(Baba  Kama  38a). 


Knowledge  Brings  Fame. 

(109)  Who  seeking  knowledge  doth  retired 

Within  his  chamber  hide, 

That  knowledge,  when  'tis  once  acquired, 

Proclaims  him  far  and  wide. 

{Moed  Katan  16b). 

E  2 


52  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

pfiWfc  rnin  njw  px  (no) 

T     •.-  t  :    -  ......  .    .  T   .. 

(:  /p  mm) 


NTV^1?    ^   |3|TS  K^lfr    W  (in) 

:  idm  toarr  mm  aSp  Turn 

f  !                 t   ;     •         It     ••  T  I  T             "                • 

(*  '7  P';yp) 


C  /»  '6  P136) 


sppto  ^  (iw) 


nnuo  tnS  pa  D*»arr  *T&Sn  (113) 
♦  Kan  dSijd  nSi  nin  D^tya  *6 

"  •  rtnta  D^n^-^x  pint 

I  •  ••  •  •      .  T 

(•  7"p  Piy)3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  53 

Knowledge  Involves  Self- Denial. 
(no)  With  him  alone  can  knowledge  ever  stay 
Who  for  its  sake  his  baser  self  doth  slay. 

{Berachoth  63^). 


A  Student. 
(in)  A  Student  's  like  the  seed  the  sod  below, 
Which,    once   it   sprouts,   will    sprout    and 
heav'n  wards  grow. 

{Taanith  4a). 


Progress, 
(112)  Who  fails  his  knowledge  to  increase 
Is  sure  to  see  his  knowledge  cease. 

[Abotk  I.  13). 


Perpetual  Progress. 
(113)  From  their  task  of  self-improvement, 
Rest  is  ne'er  to  Scholars  given ; 
In  the  next  they'll  strive  for  culture, 

As  in  this  world  they  have  striven, — 
Yea,  "  from  strength  to  strength  advancing, 
They'll  be  seen  by  God  in  heaven." 

{Berachoth  64a). 


54  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


I 


is  sw'-rittp  fr&K  [pips  ^Mapr^  (114) 
41  ♦  je*  vhb  vh\n  fpgp  #  . 

(ft  '7  P136) 


♦  *rtan9  ^i^1?  ^5T  (us) 

:  a'wa  nnv  'TaStta* 

t    •.,  •  ••  -     •   :    -    • 

•hfn$rfi$  php  }bj?  yy  na  (u6> 
D^tpjp  a*&#j   ^fi?Si  *)« 

0  rap)  :  P^TP^   D%T?59 

♦  ^an-nx  T?na  ina  pit  Snrna  (117) 

.«  •  T  •  ••• 

:  nrna  n?  rnrta  a^^n  n^n  >#  c|K 

(•  '\  r*;r>p) 

n^  rrflfifi  pg  (u8) 
:  mara  *&k 

t        -;  -  t   v 

(:  /p  POT3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  55 

Learn  even  from  the   Young. 

(114)  Do  not  look  at  the  cask,  but  at  what  it  doth 

hold ! 
For  it  doth  very  often  befall 
That  a  new  cask  is  brimful  of  wine  that  is  old, 
While  an  old  cask  has  no  wine  at  all. 

{Aboth  IV.  27). 

—  ■  ■    ■-- - 

Learning  from  Disciples. 

(115)  From  my  teachers  I  have  gained  much  lore  ; 
From  my  fellow-students  greater  store ; 
From  my  lov'd  disciples  even  more. 

{Taanith  Ja). 

Learning  from  Lnferiors. 

(116)  The  smaller  stick  can  make  the  larger  burn  ; 
From  lesser  scholars  can  the  greater  learn. 

{Taanith  Ja). 

Mutual  Lmprovement. 

(117)  As  iron  sharpens  iron,  so  we  find 

Two  students  sharpen  one  another's  mind. 

( Taanith  J  a). 

Association. 

(118)  No  proper  education 
Without  association. 

{Berachoth  63/;)- 


56  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

pin-j|  ^  pat  (119) 
nnin  nm  iS  nip  (120) 

t  ••  :       •  T    T      A  ' 

:  «an  D^iyn  »n  *h  njp 

T~  T^T  ••-  TlT 

('P  '3  P)3fi) 

minn  nanpj  n^nnm  (121) 

t         -  "I:   •  t    •     :   -       v  ' 

♦  win  ^n?  Wnpn-W  tofrw 
•  :  iW  D&rSy  n*np:i  tjte^ 

trann  H^Sn  (122) 
:  dStoa  DiW  D*n& 

T  T  T  •       :  - 

(♦  7"P  W») 

—run  owipj  D*Mn  *T&Sn  (123) 

I     •  t  -  •     tJ:  •  •    t  -:  ....    -      \        sj  / 

:  D^&r^l  ^"W  ty?33  D*pDty#  ^ 

(•  7"p  P3D) 


?  Kgqp  *jid}  jwk  }xa  (124) 
:  wjn»i  wnso 

t    :  -    :    -  t  -  :  - 

('3  POT  'DVT) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  $J 

True  Freedom. 

(119)  Who  labours  in  the  Torah — he, 
And  none  but  he,  is  ever  free. 

(Aboth  VI.  2). 

Religious  Knowledge. 

(120)  Who  wins  the  words  of  sacred  lore 

Wins  happy  life  for  evermore. 

(Abotk  II.  8). 


Ownership  of  Knowledge. 
(121)  At  first  the  Law  belongs  to  God  alone ; 

When  you've  acquired   its   knowledge — 'tis 
your  own. 

(Aboda  Zara  19a). 


Scholars. 
(122)  Scholars  in  the  world  increase 
Sweetest  harmony  and  peace. 


{Berachoth  64a). 


"  Free-masons." 
(123)  The  W7ise  are  called  the  "  Builders"  of  the 
age  — 
For  they  in  building  up  the  world  engage. 

{Shabbath  114a). 


A   City's  Guardians. 
{124)  Who  are  the  guardians  of  a  State  ? 
The  Teachers  of  the  small  and  great. 

{Jer.  Chagiga  2). 


58  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


DwM  ♦»*  mn  (125) 

•                                  •  •     * 

\trfm  x^n  antotf 

T  "     •« 


*  « 


♦  new  dtk  na^'-na  (126) 

v     -;-  T  T  -TV  v  ' 

('3  Y'  /77f») 


twaa  Thpfotf  'jfSptM  n?  faa-pia  (127) 

t    :    •  :   v  I    •• 

:  nDxa:>  imin  rx 

v  v    :  •  t 


(:  i"u  wjp) 


_ ^rp#aa  ty^K"  (128) 

■   •  • 

(:  u"'p  P3D) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  59 

Children  of  the  Poor. 
(125)  Upon  the  children  of  the  poor 
Bestow  the  greatest  care  ! 
For  they  full  oft  of  scholarship 
Receive  the  greatest  share. 

{Nedarim  8 1  a). 


Learn ,  Act  and  Teach. 
(126)  Act  as  you've  learnt,  and  give  to  men  your 
thought, 
That  they  may  practise  what  by  you  they're 
taught ! 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XIII.  2). 


A   Sinner's  Knowledge. 
(127)  A  nut  which  is  soiled  on  the  surface 
May  hold  a  sweet  kernel  within  : 
So  despise  not  the  knowledge  of  scholars 
Though  stained  be  those  scholars  by  sin. 

(Chagiga  i$b). 


Little  Children,  God's  Messiahs. 
(128)  "  Your  hands  on  my  Messiahs  do  not  lay  !  " — 
The  little  children  of  the  schools  are  they. 
"  And  to  my  Prophets  do  no  ill !  " — applies 
To  scholars,  the  disciples  of  the  Wise. 

(Shabbath  119^). 


60  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

pjprtt?  DSiyn  pg  (129) 

I  t    -  ••         v  •  v  v  •    :     •  t   v 

(:  D"'p  P3D) 


fsvjvr^  rnpfrri  na  jw  ^i^-S?  (130) 

t  nnix  pnna 

(J  l}"p  P3D) 


Bha*n  rva  nntf  oto  (13O 

t|:   •  -               ••             -tv  r    x    •*    / 

•   :  -      I  •  t          :  t    :   • 

(I  3*'  3"3) 


ppppp  prSa  oqjptj  npe^e  (132) 

•         •  •        •                                                      •        •         ■ 

I    •    J  •  :  -  v          I  -  :  t        I     v  t   t            ••  -   : 

(•  3":p  P3D) 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  6l 

Little  Children,  the    World's  Saviours. 
(129)  Upon  the  little  children  of  the  schools 
Does  all  the  world  depend — 
Saved  by  their  breath  of  innocence 
From  coming  to  an  end. 

{Shabbath  ngb). 


Schools. 

(130)  The  place  that  is  of  schools  devoid 
Is  surely  doomed  to  be  destroyed. 

{Shabbath  wqb). 

Modern  Prophets. 

(131)  When  once  the  Temple  was  no  more, 
The  gift,  which  Prophets  had  before, 
Was — when  it  left  the  Prophets'  schools — 
Bestowed  on  children  and  on  fools. 

(Baba  Bathra  12b). 

TJie  Educated  and  the  Ignorant. 

(132)  True  knowledge  and  culture  who  strive  to 

obtain, 
The  older  they  grow  the  more  wisdom  they 

gain; 
But  those  who  to  knowledge  and  culture  are 

foes, 
As  older  each  gets  the  more  foolish  he  grows. 

{Shabbath  152a). 


62  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


Ntpn  fcT^  nta  pa  (133) 
11  :  tdh  p$ij  cy  *6i 

0  '3  PDf>) 


Tpn   *an   p$n  Dy  dk  (134) 


(:  3"'  ?5w) 


iefoh|  flip 


ninaS  m  ti  (136) 

0)  '7  W3f») 


(:  r>"p  p"3) 


T   ..  -   .  T    ..   .    .      \     *J  I  / 

iKnjJ   B*j?   B*|J 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  63 

Ignorance. 

(133)  Who  sacred  knowledge  doth  not  win 

Will  never  have  true  fear  of  sin, 

For  ignorance  can  never  be 

The  home  of  genuine  piety. 

(Aboth  II.  6). 


A  Pious  Ignoramus, 
(134)  Move  far  away  from  his  society 

Whose  ignorance  is  joined  with  piety  ! 

{Shabbath  63a). 


Ignorance  and  Impudence. 
(135)  To  take  the  lead,  at  every  chance, 
All  eager  stands  bold  Ignorance. 

{Megilla  12b). 


Led  and  Leading. 
(136)  Better  be  by  Lions  led 

Than  of  Foxes  be  the  head. 

{Aboth  IV.  20). 


A  Little  Learning. 
(137)  A  single  coin  in  an  empty  jar 

Creates  a  clamorous  noise  that's  heard  afar. 

(Baba  Metsia  85/;). 


64  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


C  f>  3*3) 


-wr?  (138) 
:  wgaa  spy 


?  Mil    WK  (139) 

('6  '7  P)3f») 


T    T  T 


n&:pn  \m  wn  ^nj  ^inipn  pg  (140) 

7    :    T  •••/  •   :  T    v 

C  *'?  TO">3) 

—  DTi  iba  rro&  (141) 
piQO  jprj  ^ 

♦  p'TPia  wk  *6a 

.  -.  _  ..         ..  T 

iyrna  N^a 

I       •  -:  -  ••  t 

t  pnno  irx  jpn 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  65 

Scholars. 

(138)  A  wise  man,  with  a  scholar's  education, 
Excels  a  prophet  with  his  inspiration. 

{Baba  Bathra  12a). 

Who  is   Wise  ? 

(139)  Who's  truly  wise  beneath  the  sun  ? 
Who  seeks  to  learn  from  every  one. 

(Aboth  IV.  1). 


Wisdom. 
(140)  The  gift  of  wisdom  God  doth  ne'er  impart 
Unless  a  man  hath  wisdom  in  his  heart. 

(Berachoth  55a). 


Spiritual  Gifts. 
(141)  Lo,  this  is  one  of  Nature's  laws, 

Observed  the  world  all  o'er  : — 
A  vessel  wholly  void  will  hold 

What  into  it  we  pour ; 
But  when  the  vessel  once  is  full, 

It  can  receive  no  more. 
Not  so  in  gifts  of  soul  or  mind 

Doth  God  for  us  ordain  : 
The  more  a  man  already  hath, 

The  more  he  will  contain, 
And  who  possesses  none  at  all 

With  him  will  none  remain. 

{Berachoth  &pa). 
F 


66  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


93}  Dipa  dwo  D^rno  (142) 


*  &9  pefcj  ^n#  natanjgn  n^pwg  n$  (143) 

I  V  T  ;    -  ..  T    -   . 

('f>  fan  f»"7) 


^     T    ;  •    T  T  -         .    .. 

t     •    :  t:      •    : 

T  •  T  *~  •      ••     • 

:  tods  inM#  m^m 

.    :  T        •      ; 


T:    i* 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  67 

A  Humble  Mind. 
(142)  As  waters  from  the  heights  descend,  that  they 
A  lower  bed  may  find, 
So,  too,  with  him  alone  will  knowledge  stay 
Who  hath  an  humble  mind. 

{Taanith  J  a). 


Humility. 
(143)  Be  as  the  threshold  trod  by  every  one, 
And  like  the  lowest  peg  all  hang  upon  ! 

(Derech  Eretz  Zuta  I.). 


Meekness. 
(144)  A  man  should  ever  learn  to  act 

In  concert  with  God's  will. 
For  God  disdained  each  mountain  high, 

And  left  each  lofty  hill, 
But  deemed  the  lowly  Sinai 

The  fittest  and  the  best 
Whereon  His  glory  should  descend, 

His  holy  presence  rest. 
So,  too,  the  high  and  stately  trees, — 

God  set  them  all  aside, 
But  caused  within  the  humble  bush 

His  presence  to  abide. 

{Sot ah  50) 
F2 


68  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

•     :         t         J  •  : 

t  ••   :  •  • 

♦♦  nsra  ^  sman  D^Bbm 

(•  rt  p"3) 

nnn-WDH  \a  kW  dhk-S:d  (146) 

T  ••  V  T    T  T  N  '         ' 

t    ^  t  t  :  :•":!•• 

C  'P  cwd) 

(O^jfiwj  ta  e*#  ff#fefc  (147) 

t     •   t  -  t  •    : 

(:  '1  rwp) 

rnvrrMM  to  ##  fl-RT^?  (148) 
:  vhh*  naij;  &Ka 

(:  '1  rw) 

nnrrrttM1?  }&t>  (149) 


,     GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  69 

The  Persecuted, 

(145)  One  of  the  persecuted  rather  be 
Than  of  the  persecutors  !     For  we  see 

No  birds  more  preyed  upon  than    are  the 

doves, 
Yet  these  upon  the  altar  Heaven  loves. 

(Baba  Kama  93a). 

Pride. 

(146)  God    saith— "With   him   that's   filled  with 

pride 
I  cannot  in  the  world  abide." 

{Sotah  5a). 


Pride  is  Atheism. 
(147)  He's  deemed,  in  whom  abideth  pride, 
As  though  his  God  he  has  denied. 


{Sotah  4b). 


Pride  is  Idolatry. 
(148)  A  man,  puffed  up  with  arrogance  and  pride, 
To  one  who  worships  idols  is  allied. 

{Sotah  4b). 


Pride  a  Sign  of  Ignorance. 
(149)  Pride  is  a  sign,  wherever  it  may  chance, 
Of  that  worst  poverty  called — Ignorance. 

{Sanhedrin  24a). 


JO  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

— y\W2>r\  hb  (150) 
♦  aaa  npknaa  inaan  an  Dan  dk 

v  •  Jvv    -   :    •  t  :    t  t  t 

t  u$a  nokroa  friaaa  wn  wm  dki 

v    •  ■•••/-:•  t         :  •  t  •   : 

(:  i*p  d'ppp) 


Ka#  ny  (150 
ixa#  nx 


0"'  'f>  puf>) 


mapa  wiBhn  (152) 

v  v  J-    :  t  t      N     ■»     ' 


(:  i"p  for) 


t     v  t    : 


h^ratj  ins  TEBptj  Sa  (153) 
♦  aaa  write  r&nf 

rta-n-ra  rrtan  ?ai 
:  v-inx  m-tna  pitiii 

0  '•  ]sw) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  71 

Arrogance. 
(150)  Whene'er  a  mortal  man  uplifts 
With  arrogance  his  heart  — 
Scholar  or  Prophet — all  his  gifts 
Shall  soon  from  him  depart. 

(Pesachim  66b). 


Aggrandizemen  t. 
(151)  Aggrandizement  do  thou  avoid  ! 

A  name  made  great's  a  name  destroyed. 

(Aboth  I.  13). 


Ambition  is  Fatal. 
(152)  Ambition,  as  its  fate, 

Death  and  the  Grave  await ! 


( Yoma  864). 


Ambitious  Men. 
(153)  Who  on  Greatness  strives  to  seize, 

Greatness  'scapes  his  greedy  grasp  ; 
But  whoe'er  from  Greatness  flees, 
Him  doth  Greatness  seek  to  clasp. 

(Erubin  13$). 


72  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

liwtn  DnTir  »ih  (154) 

t  t   :  •      :|t  :         J     ••  v 

t   :  -  J   v       :  tv 

:  torn  n»tfa  d-txS  iS  DH&ty  p*o 

I    t:    t  -  :     •  t  t  ;  .  :     r        \    ••   : 

O  '3  TOf») 


n^s  fi  cnx  xrr  D^ij/?  (155) 


(:  'a  roup) 


in«3  ntfp  kit  ^Kl 

..  ..    t  ••It  ••     •  ™    • 

■     •■  I  *  * 


K^»   KTT   SyW   «S  (156) 

:  NTi  tap  nra  pa;n 

t:-  -J;        I      •  t     •       J      •:-: 

(:  'p  *iwp). 

nn»  rra  -mt^x  (157) 
ti^K  into  nj3^ 

V        "  T     T  TV 

••  t    :    •  t    :    •  : 

V  ••    V  T     ^ 

(:  p  ;7wp) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  73 

Politicians. 

(154)  Beware  of  all  ambitious  men  in  pow'r, 

Who  never  but  from  selfish  motives  deign 
To  patronise  a  man  !     Yea,  at  that  hour, 

When  for  themselves  some  boon  they  hope 

to  gain, 

They  seem  to  him  the  kindest  friends  indeed ; 

But  oh,  they  stand  not  by  him  in  his  need  ! 

{Aboth  II.  3). 

Gentleness. 

(155)  As  yielding  as  the  pliant  reed 

A  man  should  ever  be, 
And  not  unbending  and  as  hard 
As  is  the  cedar  tree ! 

(Taanith  20b). 


Care. 
(156)  From  placing  Care  within  your  heart  refrain  ! 
For  mighty  are  the  victims  Care  has  slain. 

{Sanhedrin  100b). 


To-morrow. 
(157)  About  the  morrow  do  not  sorrow  ! 

For  thee  there  may  be  no  To-morrow. 
Thou  mayest  find  thou  didst  but  pine 
About  a  world  that  was  not  thine. 

{Sanhedrin  100b). 


74  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

rryfa  *h  058) 
fltohrjKPi  rfn$  (159) 

0  3*'  PO")3) 


?  TBW     tfVS  (l6°) 

— 7|j  -yyth  h\$  k^j|  (161) 
j  &♦»  ira  ^  torn  ♦ma 

(:  i"p  '7WP)  '  '       " : 

nv$j  ^tfi  jw  (162) 
0  rt  p"3) 

IPW  JWH  SJd  (163) 
♦  iS  pirfa  pigs  ^ae^ria 

0  'D  CWp) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  75 

Anticipating  Trouble. 
(158)  Sufficient  for  trouble  and  woe 

The  moment  you  suffer  the  blow. 

{Berachoth  gb). 


Past  Troubles. 

(159)  Through  our  present  troubles  whilst  they  last 
We  forget  the  troubles  that  are  past. 

{Berachoth  13a). 

Contentment. 

(160)  When  is  man  as  rich  as  rich  can  be  ? 

When  contented  with  his  lot  is  he. 

{Aboth  IV.  1). 

Discontent. 

(161)  The  Camel  asked  for  horns  one  day, — 
The  ears  he  had  were  taken  away. 

{Sanhedrin  106b). 

Envy. 

(162)  Some  sixty  pains  his  teeth  are  sure  to  feel 
Who,  fasting,  sees  his  neighbour  at  his  meal. 

{Baba  Kama  92b). 

The  Envious. 

(163)  Whoe'er  his  greedy  eyes  doth  set 

On  what  to  him  belongeth  not, 
What  he  desires  he  shall  not  get, 
And  he  shall  lose  what  he  hath  got. 

{Sot ah  ga). 


j6  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

?  h  «  h  *&  pa  dk  (164) 

•     T  T  •       •     —     •  •    — •    ••        • 

t   t  t     ;    -  •   : 

(7"'  'f>  r»3f>) 


hjq  }n^';g  nfjtofi  hi  (165) 
:  hjJ3  ijtfn  07^ 


(:  3"!>  P5'3) 


-affM  ep&  nn-nW  ngnr  (166) 

t     •    :  I  t  t  •  -         ••  -:  ••  •    :         v 

— wn  'sfhi  ennjan  ♦jijS  rrir  max 

i  aSty-1?^  Wai " 
jv?3  pha  ^niiira  wr 

v  —     >  a.  —  .  •• 

•  I  •  •  • 

•  1  •  *  * 

a!Dni  nb>3  Ta  p^ro 

tt  t     t  -  :         I  •  : 


Sin  ^3^  new  (167) 

(•  3"p  O'PPP) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  J*] 

Self- Reliance. 
(164)  If  not  myself  for  me,  who  else  of  men  ? 
And  if  I  am  for  me,  what  am  I  then  ? 
And  if  not  in  the  living  present, — When  ? 

(Aboth  I.  14). 


Dependence. 
(165)  Who  for  another's  table  has  to  wait, — 

Dark  is  the  world  around  him,  sad  his  fate. 

{Betsa  2,2b). 


Sweet  Independence. 
(166)  With  leaf  of  olive  in  her  mouth,  the  Dove 

Returned,    and    thus    she    prayed    to    God 

above : — 
"  O  universal  Sovereign,  God  of  love  ! 
O  let  me  only  have  my  food  from  Thee, 
Though  bitter  as  an  olive  it  should  be ! 
And  let  me  not  depend  on  man  for  meat 
E'en  though   my  food   should  be  as  honey 

sweet !  " 

{Erubin  18b). 


Be  Independent. 
(167)  As  other  days  the  Sabbath  spend, 
And  do  not  on  man's  help  depend  ! 

{Pesachim  11 2a). 


78  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

ND^a     XfiSrU     tfltM   (1 68) 

t  -:  t    -  t  :  - :  t  -:  i  -:  -  T    —  t    : 


C  '"P  3"3) 


t     •  : 


tywa  njgjg  bVi|  (169) 


C  'P  PW3) 


roxSa  nSnii  (170) 


(:  u"p  017:) 


T  V    T 


•  •      • 


E«f?|   DJJ&   *6    jWNTI   D1tK  (171) 
('6  f>">  /iri) 


T  T     :  T      T 


wn  ^n?  tfnjan  (172) 
S*ob»-Sy  inw#  m#n  rib 

••    t  :     •         -  t      •     :  t  ;      • 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  79 

Menial  Work. 
(168)  O  strip  a  carcase  in  the  street, 

And  take  your  pay  for  labour  sweet, 
And  say  not,  "  I  am  Priest  or  King, 
And  'neath  my  honour's  such  a  thing  "  ! 

{Baba  Bathra  wod). 


The   Worth  of  Work. 
(169)  To  live  by  Toil's  of  greater  worth 
Than  idle  piety  on  earth. 


{Berachoth  8a). 


Dignity  of  Labour. 
(170)  Esteemed  is  Labour  in  mine  eyes  ! 
For  Work  the  workman  dignifies. 


{Nedarim  49^). 


Labour. 

(171)  The  right  to  taste  some  food  then  Adam 

earned, 
When  first  the  law  of  Labour  he  had  learned. 

(Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XI.  1). 
*  •*  •* 

(172)  God  caused  not  His  presence  on  Israel  to  rest, 
Till  their  Labour  had  shown  of  their  merit 

a  test. 

(Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XI.  1). 


80  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

ntagb  W**$h  ntowx  ^j  pg  (173) 

t   ;       -   :    •  |*   :     *  v  t  t     : 

C  fb  ]'on'p) 

was  rnn  ^  n^  (174) 

|"T  T  TT  ;  TT~: 

(*  U"D  ;7WP) 


— d*W?  win  *na  tfViBn  n&K#  nwte  (175) 

tt:  I        T  |t-  -tv  tt-^'-// 

— *f^  n^ig  yrrtl  fipl" 

^   t     :  t     ••  :  t 

!  dSijt^  Wish"— vat  ia« 

T       r  y  "  T    T     :  -       T 

"?nna  disk?  bgxj  ♦-torn  •& 

TV  **•  •  •  *• 

— iS  n&x&y  mj 

-TV  IT" 

"\nrb  hisin  wbr  nana" 

I    v   -  -    ••  : 

:insn  rrfmro  to 

(•  n"p  cppp) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  8 1 

Labour  not  to  be  Interrupted. 
(173)  No  artisans  at  work  may  rise 

To  show  respect  unto  the  Wise. 

{Kiddushin  33#). 


Skilled  Artizans. 
(174)  Though  lasting  seven  years,  no  famine  can 
Approach  the  door  of  a  skilled  Artizan. 

{Sanhedrin  29a). 


Labour  is  a  Blessing. 
(175)  When  Adam  heard  the  sentence  passed  by 

God, 
That  curst  would  be  the  ground  on  which  he 

trod, 
And  Thorns  would  spring  with  Thistles  from 

the  sod, 
He  straight  began  to  weep,  and  with  a  sigh 
"  O  universal  Sovereign  !  "  he  did  cry, 
"  Are  we  to  eat  our  food — mine  Ass  and  I — 
Out  of  one  crib  ?  "     But  when  God  further 

said, — 
"  By  your  brow's  sweat  you're  doomed  to  eat 

your  bread  !  " — 
At  once  was  Adam  cheered  and  comforted. 

(Pesachim  11 8a). 
G 


82  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

ntttfiN  in&Sfc  wx&  hi  (176) 

t  :  -    :  "  v 

*  •  K  1 

•  •  • 

(J  '5  jwp) 


I     t              -  -  ;     -              v     ••  :                       '  •  • 

T        t    :  t    •          1     ••    V                   T                  T   • 

I     t  v  v       :            t  ••    :              t 

('3  '3  rof>) 


(*  a"p  riP3') 


rttyqwt  ,to|jrV|  D*raqj  (178) 


V\rp.  h  iw  vw*?*  (j79) 

T    T 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  83 

Teaching  a   Trade. 
(176)  For  his  son  a  trade  who  doth  not  find 
Is  but  teaching  him  to  rob  mankind. 

(Kiddushin  30$). 


Education  and  Manual  Labour. 
(177)  To  sacred  Study  'tis  most  meet  and  right 
Some  worldly  Occupation  to  unite  : 
The  labour,  which  the  twain  demand,  is  well 
Designed  all  thoughts  of  sinning  to  dispel. 
All  learning  and  all  culture  of  the  mind 
When     not     with     healthy     manual     work 

combined, 
Will  sooner,  or  will  later,  prove  all  vain, 
And  Sin  will  quickly  follow  in  their  train. 

(Aboth  II.  2). 


Agriculture. 
(178)  The  day  will  come  when  every  hand 
Will  turn  from  trade  to  till  the  land. 

( Yebamoth  63*1:  )• 


Land. 
(179)  A  u  Man  "  is  not  deserving  of  that  name 
If  to  some  piece  of  Land  he  has  no  claim. 

( Yebamoth  63a). 
G  2 


84  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


0  a"D  nra») 


t    :    •  •  :  t 


(*  P"p  O'PDP) 


ona-Stf  wrcttto  ptfp  (i8i> 


♦  H35^  Dix-S^  toipo  kS  (182) 

(:  fa  poi?p) 


(:'i  riw) 


—  DIN    ^    ■»#    DN  (183) 

I  T      T  .  .       .     _  T 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  85 

Land  and  Marriage. 
(180)  To  buy  some  Land — run  a  mile  ! 
To  take  a  Wife — pause  a  while  ! 

(  Yebamoth  63a). 


A  Livelihood. 
(181)  'Tis  as  great  a  miraculous  power 

Which  enables  us  food  to  obtain, 
As  the  miracle  wrought  at  that  hour 
When  the  Red  Sea  was  riven  in  twain. 

{Pesachim  11 8a). 


Position. 
(182)  Position  gives  not  man  respect  and  grace, — 
But  rather  Man  sheds  lustre  on  his  place. 

{Taanitk  210). 


Perseverance. 
(183)  Do  not  believe  the  man  that  says — 
"  I've  toiled  and  nothing  gained  "  ; 
Nor  him  that  says — "  I  have  not  toiled, 

And  yet  I  have  obtained  "  ; 
But  if  a  man  hath  said — "  I've  won 

The  prize  for  which  I've  striven," — 
To  him,  indeed,  and  him  alone, 
Your  credence  may  be  given. 


{Megilia  6b). 


86  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

♦♦  ma  nam  n-na  ^x  (184) 
♦  inaxSiaS  tratra  wm  ^axW?  D^asra  *a« 

•  •  •        m  •  •  *•  •  •  •  — •  •        •  •         •  —  •      "  • 

*fiaxSaa  Turns  irx  wnp  o^'a 
♦inaxSaa  nana  ^x  ^k  m 

■  —  .  •  ••  —         •  •  •  ■•  •        M  I    — 

•  •  •  •  I 

— mob  tfim  naia  ^k— i&an  xa# 

•  •  •        •  •  ■      • 

•     :    -   -  t   •,•    :  v    :  -  —  t    v  •  t 

i«wbvh  iaS  \)y&  naSai 

•  t  t    -  •         I  ••  -  :  •„•  -  :    • 

0  t*  JW») 


?  *tej  tfirg  (185) 
:  vw-n«  #aian 

('6  '7  rafO 


?  mrn  bwk  Tasr-na  (186) 

W     •  «  ■  •  •  • 

:  toy  ma* 


C  rt  7TO) 


?  man  b^k  TurniS  (187) 
♦♦  town**  rtw 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  87 

The  Student  and  the  Farm  Labourer. 

(184)  A  student  says—"  I  am  a  Man, 

And  a  Man  is  my  neighbour ; 
I  in  the  town,  he  in  the  field, 

We  daily  toil  and  labour ; 
Each  rises  to  perform  the  task 

Which  Heaven  did  assign  ; 
And  I  encroach  not  on  his  work, 

As  he  doth  not  on  mine. 
I  claim  no  merit — for,  when  more 

Or  less  a  man  has  striven, 
It  matters  not,  so  long  as  he 

Directs  his  heart  to  Heaven/' 

{Berachoth  ija). 

True  Heroism. 

(185)  Who  should  be  deemed  as  Heroes  true? 
Their  evil  passions  who  subdue. 

{Aboth  IV.  1). 


Self- Control. 
(186)  What  shall  man  do  that  live  he  may  ? 
His  selfish  nature  let  him  slay ! 


(Tamid  32a). 


Self-indulgence. 
(187)  What  shall  man  do  that  he  may  die  ? 
Live,  and  his  passions  gratify ! 


(7 amid  32a). 


88  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

KJDK1?    TpiN  (i  88) 

(*  l"V  '7WD  'DH») 


D*MnS  npw  ns*  (189) 

"  t     •  V  T 

(•  Uff J  O'PPP) 


!  nDiX    D«    ^    >fot  (190) 

(:  D'P  3"3) 


!piv  $£  W?! 

C  u"n  ^"3) 


Bnnn  &a  dSiyn-^3  (192) 
— ♦yoa  wn  wia  tfnpn  i&x#  to^'s 

-•:  |t  |t-  -TV  TT" 

.    _  —  l  ..  ..*  y  •  ••  ••  T-  • 

0  tt"S  PW3D) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  89 

Prudence. 
(188)  Let  honour  be  to  your  physician  paid 

Before  you  come  to  need  his  healing  aid. 

{Jer.  Sanhedrin  44a). 


Silence. 
(189)  If  Silence  is  the  best  of  rules 

For  wise  men, — how  much  more  for  Fools  ! 

{Pesachim  99a). 


Speech  or  Silence. 
(190)  Ah  me,  if  I  express  my  candid  mind  ! 
Ah  me,  if  I  my  tongue  in  silence  bind  ! 

{Baba  Bathra  89^). 


Truth. 
(191)  Righteous  be  thy  "  Yea  !  " 
Righteous  be  thy  "  Nay  !  " 


{Baba  Metsia  49a). 


Perjury. 
{192)  The   world    was    all    convulsed   with  dread 
and  pain 
When  God  exclaimed, — "Take  not  My  Name 
in  vain ! " 

{Shebtioth  39a). 


90  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

Mttt  h  w  dk  irrtna0  rrhM-ba  (193) 
*       ♦  rfrfh  n#Se*i  &)&  'h  pSin 

T  ;  •  -  ;  I      . 


0  tf"J>  PW3D) 


C  7"p  P3D) 


♦  1$    Mp#p  (194) 

i  wp  nS  mptf 

••  |t  t  tJ:   • 


— wia  h&  iPity  ij3  (195) 

1  .  I  •    v:  •    -;  •„• 

(:  d"p  '7Mp) 

R«1   ^h|   B^f3  (196) 
0  i"p  '?wp) 


T  T 


-p  Dnrg  n$*#  (197) 
•  rutiS©  iroi  nana  irui  min  ins 

•  •    •   •  t  •..  :  •„•  •.-  :  t  v  v 

0"'  'i  rafO 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  91 

Perjury  Punished. 
(193)  All  other  punishments  God  may  delay 

Until  some  ages  shall  have  passed  away, — 
The  sin  of  Perjury's  avenged  straightway. 

(Shebuotk  39a). 


Truth  and  Falsehood. 
(194)  No  Falsehood  long  can  stay ; 
But   Truth  endures  for  aye. 


{Shabbath  104). 


Liars. 
(195)  This  is  the  fine  a  Liar  has  to  pay, — 

He's  not  believed  when  e'en  the  truth  he'll  say. 

{Sanhedrin  Sgb). 


Sincerity. 
(196)  'Tis  not  your  Knowledge  God  desires ; 
It  is  your  heart  that  He  requires. 

{Sanhedrin  106b). 


A   Good  Name. 
(197)  On  mortal  brows  three  crowns  we  see, — 
Of  Knowledge,  Priesthood,  Majesty : 
Yet  fairer  far,  in  worth  and  fame, 
The  diadem  of  a  Good  Name. 

{Aboth  IV.  17). 


92  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


^ajroa  pxirhx  (198) 
!  ^nia  tit*  nu 


•jjnji  ^"-i^  t|5te^  n^(i99) 
:  mam  rnanri  ne>b> 

••    t    ••  :  ...  -    .    .  T  ... 

C  'i  mm) 


C  f*  wwp) 


Sfettl    N^    PlSHb    ft^Sft  (200) 

X   .  T  T    •..  :  x   :     -    T        >■  / 

T     X         T      T  T  T    •         -      T 


D^N    pgB>   DijTO?  (201) 

•  •      •  ••   —     •  • 

f'1  '3  TOfi) 


DHK    K#*"^»    dSi^  (202) 

•        •  ••  ■  T         T 

0  'a  o'ppp) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  93 

Self- A  ssurance. 
(198)  Upon  yourself  do  not  rely 

Until  the  day  when  you  shall  die ! 

{Aboth  II.  5)'. 


m'I  Do  Not  Know." 
(199)  Let  your  tongue  accustomed  grow 
E'er  to  say — "  I  do  not  know  !  " — 
Lest  in  error  stating  aught 
You  may  stumble  and  be  caught. 

{Berachoth  4a). 


Try  Not  Too  Much 
(200)  Grasp  too  much,  and  you  will  grasp  in  vain ! 
Grasp  a  little,  and  you  will  obtain. 

{Chagiga  \"]a). 


Be  a  Man  I 
(201)  Where  no  men  are  in  the  van, 
Strive  yourself  to  be  a  man  ! 

{Aboth  II  6). 


Obscene    Words. 
(202)  Take  heed  that  no  unseemly  word 

Should  ever  from  thy  mouth  be  heard  ! 

{Pesackim  3a). 


94  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

ub$  ti\Vto*&  tnxh  *h  ifflK  (203) 

•  ^       \    •    **  T   T    .  t 

:    v    :    •  t  -;    -         |  ••  •  v 


♦  JH  jaw?  prrp  (204) 

_        .    .       —         1     .  ..    7      •       >  a 

('I   'f>   Wit) 


mnv.  hntaa  pagan  Sa  (205) 

■      •  *       • 

v     ••    -:  -    :  t    t  •.•  •  I  - 

I  v  t  ••  t     :  •..  ••  J  -    1  v  ••  -: 

C>  'b  ;"-)7f>) 


(OD) 


Tttpz  hwpi  pvvn  ^  (2°6) 

:  pn  Kjta  n::k>  Sapa  nr  nn 

I  v  t  ••  t  t  ••  J  -   :  v  ••-; 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  95 

Kindness  to  Animals. 
(203)  A  man  must  never  taste  his  bread 
Until  his  beast  he  first  has  fed. 

{Git tin  62a). 


Evil  Neighbours. 

(204)  Remove  from  evil  neighbours  far  away, 

And  never  join  the  Wicked  where  they  stay, 

And  cease  not  to  expect  the  evil  day ! 

{Aboth  I.  7). 


Evil  Associates. 
(205)  He  who  associates  with  those 
That  are  on  sinning  bent, 
Although  he  may  eschew  their  deeds, 
Shares  in  their  punishment. 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XXX.  3). 


Good  Associates. 
(206)  Associate  with  those  that  keep 
The  precepts  of  the  Lord, 
And  though  not  sharing  in  their  deeds 
You'll  share  in  their  reward. 

[Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XXX.  3). 


• 


96  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


(♦/J  p"3)  T,:* 


aty  b&  Tni  ijSn  D?nS  *6  (208) 
0  3"iP'3)  v    ": 


0  rt  p"3) 


KB*3   K^|   ^nr)   Lg£  (209) 

:         :  t    |- 


fnn  3*313  &*Wf  (2I°) 

(*  '»  WW) 


—^  b^n  Dnx  xrv  ri^(2n) 
"ifa»  ntoS  warn  Tarr^s" 

0  'O  PO">3) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  97 

Evil  Companions. 
(207)  Together  with  the  useless  thorn 

The  useful  plant  is  plucked  and  torn. 

{Baba  Kama  92a). 


Birds  of  a  Feather. 
(208)  'Twas   fit  that  the  cuckoo  the  raven  should 
find, 
'Twas  fit — for  the  raven  belongs  to  his  kind. 

{Baba  Kama  92b). 


Like  Dwells  with  Like. 
(209)  A  worthless  palm  will  choose  the  ground 
And  grow  where  fruitless  trees  abound. 

{Baba  Kama  92$). 


Hope. 
(210)  Though  o'er  your  neck  a  sword  hang  sharp 
and  bare, 
Of  Mercy  even  then  do  not  despair ! 

{Berachoth  10a). 


All  for  the  Best. 
(211)  A  man  should  say,  howe'er  distress'd, — 
"  All  God  hath  done  is  for  the  best !  " 

{Berachoth  60b). 
H 


98  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

rrcnrrStf  TinS  tn«  yr\  (212) 

TTT  ~  |"T;  TT  T- 

:  nnterrby  X>2W  D^? 

(•  a*5  po->3) 


*am  ety«  *m*>  (213) 

iK&Stf  arvnna  aSter-ia  ji^sk 

tt:                t     x  7 :   .               T           "  *": 

0  'p  DOTJ) 


pins  riSa  njn  DStyrrp  HEBCi"^  (214) 

T      T    :  :  V   _  T        ^,  T  |    •  ....  T 


•  t   t  ;|t  •  v  %•:  v  •    : 


(*  ^"i>  POT3) 


Nmnnib  max  ksm  (215) 

t:-:-  "  tt-v 

(•  a"p  win) 


T       :     T  T    T 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  99 

Resignation. 

(212)  A  man  must  thank  the  Lord,  in  pious  mood, 

For  all  the  111  as  well  as  all  the  Good  ! 

{Berachoth  33^). 


Pray  to  the  Last. 
(213)  A  man  should  pray  that  him  may  Mercy  save 
Till  the  last  earth  is  thrown  upon  his  grave. 

{Berachoth  8a). 


Praise  to  God. 
(214)  Who  praiseth  not  the  name  of  Heav'n 
For  any  gift  which  God  hath  giv'n, 
If  by  its  use  he  benefits, 
An  act  of  Sacrilege  commits. 


{Berachoth  35a). 


Abuse  of  Prayer. 
(215)  The  meanest  thief,  about  to  steal, 
For  Heaven's  help  will  oft  appeal. 

{Berachoth  63^). 
H  2 


100        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


nteth  vm  \ww  VDS  y?Bn»n  (216) 

:  rbuzb  S&\ 

t    :    t   :  •    ; 


i^DS   H£)   h  B^ZT^  (2  j  7) 

a  1  ■ 

t   t  :  -  t  : 

t  t    -;  ••  -  J:    •  t    v 


(:  v"r>  r>uip) 


D^Stf    D*fc#    Nlto    NW    tim    V?  (218) 

I  DTI   ^3   Kil&3 


TT  T         T 


min  to  w  nnx-S3  (219) 

T  ••  V                            T    T                  T            s                     ' 

•  -  t  :  •                    I     ••    : 

(•  b"b  P3D) 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD'  IOI' 

How  to  Pray'. 
(216)  He  who  with  devotion  prays 

Downwards  should  direct  his  gaze, 
And  his  heart  to  Heaven  raise  S 

(  Yebamoth  105^). 


Faith  in  Providence. 
(217)  Who  hath  within  his  basket  bread, 

And  yet,  all  anxious,  questions  whence 
To-morrow  too  he  shall  be  fed, — 
Hath  little  Faith  in  Providence. 

{Sotah  48^). 


Fear  God. 
(218)  Would  that  to  fear  your  God  you  persevere 
As  men  are  wont  their  Fellow-men  to  fear ! 

{Berachoth  28b). 


The  Fear  of  Heaven, 
(219)  Who  Knowledge  hath,  but  not  the  Fear  of 
Heav'n, 
Is  like  a  treasurer  to  whom  are  giv'n 
The  keys  that  will  unlock  the  inner  stores, 
Without  the  keys  that  ope  the  outer  doors. 

{Shabbath  31a). 


'        -     .        < 


*  Vl02.   '■  G*EMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


■  <  :  >    .'  <  . 


)i)T]     liPt   (220) 


♦        T 


I :  :  v    -:  -  v  •• : 


('7   '3  fllrf) 


('7   '3  W3f>) 


^lh  SL55   (221) 

♦  tftah  ^sa 

•  ••  •  • 
•  •  • 

iwtan  |aa?  Dnn«  fin 

J  v  :  •■  :    •  •  ••  -:  I  : 


mrrnx  cr^a^an  dhsw  vnrrSx  (222) 

t  :  ••)-  :  t    : 


O  '6  P136) 


t  :  ••  J  -  :  t  : 


ina^na  D*na  vfewBtf  ^  (223) 

t    :    t    ••  •      ••.  :  t    -:  -  v  ^         «-'/ 

♦  na*pna  inasn 

v  t|-    :    •  t    :    t 

vfew&a  nna  ina^n^  bbi 

t    -:  -    •  t     •.,;  t   :    t    v  : 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

Do   God's    Will.        . 
(220)  Perform  His  Will  divine 

As  if  that  Will  were  thine, 
That  He  may  thine  fulfil 
As  if  it  were  His  Will ! 


103 


Resign  thy    Will. 
(221)  Do  thou  thy  Will  resign 
Before  His  Will  divine, 
That  He  may  set  aside 
Another's  Will  for  thine  ! 


{A  both  II.  4). 


{A both  II  4). 


How  to  Serve  God. 
(222)  Be  not  as  servants  who  obey 

And  serve  their  master  but  for  pay, 
But  be  like  those  that  serve  their  lord 
Without  expecting  a  reward  ! 


{Aboth  I.  3). 


Good  Actions  and   Wisdom. 
(223)  Whose  wisdom  is  surpassed  by  Deeds, 
His  wisdom  shall  remain  ; 
Whose  wisdom  his  good  acts  exceeds, 
His  wisdom  is  all  vain. 

{Aboth  III  15). 


104        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


0"'  '7  mrf) 


nm  n$b  nwyn  (224) 
:  "rms  b^Tifi  &  ruip 
nrix  mas  nrrtym 
:  nnx  -top  i1?  prfip 


0"'   '3  jllrf) 


n^n  n^jn  (226) 

C  **'  P013) 


^1|    TB^  (227) 

r     1  ••    •  •    ••  :    -  _  .. 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        105 

Actions,  Good  and  Evil. 
(224)  Every  good  and  noble  action 
Is  for  us  an  Advocate ; 
But  by  each  of  our  transgressions 
An  Accuser  we  create. 

{Aboth  IV.  13). 


Act  in  the  Name  of  Heaven. 
(225)  Whatever  acts  you  undertake, 

Perform  them  all  for  Heaven's  sake  ! 

(Aboth  II.  17). 


The  Aim  of  Wisdom. 
(226)  Tis  Wisdom's  aim  that,  day  and  night, 
We  mend  our  ways  and  do  the  Right. 

{Berachoth  \*]a). 


Action  tJie  End  of  Study. 
(227)  Study  's  so  far  greater  than  good  deeds, 
Since  to  noble  actions  Study  leads. 

{Kiddushin  40^). 


106       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


rhp  tv$h  n  t)  (228) 
imMrrriD  trim 

t  :    •  v   v  t  :     •  v 

matt  rrrti  masn 
rrrcfi  mxa  '■dw 

T     *       •  T    •        *  —       ••• 

:  may  may  *iaB«i 


('3  '7  Plrf) 


♦  Dira  D^Bhsn  ^x~"D^i^n"  (229) 

— "  ])ZWn    wia " 

t     ^  v  v  -:  -  : 

inafc>  n^a  n«o  nosn 

T  T    :  v  v   :  t  :     •  ••    :    - 

♦  moan  naa  may  nafen 

•  •  •  ■  •      «  . 

p  nbny  ftnfc  dn  —  "piarn  ruarr 
:  Kan  nSij/p  ptanj  n-rn  DSiya  roan 

(:  r>"v  3"3) 


♦  wh 


D»pa  nxji  e^-in  nw  e*  (230) 

")-    :  v  t  :  ••  •..  t  »•     >     <*     * 

♦  Bhn  nw  pxi  D»pD  nig 
D*pa  n*o  rw  srrn  n*o  rowi 

••J-   :  v  t        I    ••  :  ••  •.•  t  t    -  ; 


♦    ! 


(:  yp  pw3') 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        107 

One  Act  the  Reward  of  Another. 
(228)  To  do  a  precept,  e'en  the  slightest,  run  ! 

And  from    transgression   flee, — the  smallest 

shun  ! 
For  one  good  act  doth  to  another  lead, 
And  one  ill-deed  draws  in  its  train  ill-deed. 
Good  action  by  good  action  in  succession 
Is    recompensed, — transgression     by    trans- 
gression. 

{Aboth  IV.  2). 


Actions,  their  Profit  and  Loss. 

(229)  They  are  the  "  Rulers  "  brave  and  true — 
Their  evil  passions  who  subdue  ; 

They  are  the  **  Calculators  "  great — 
All  Life's  accounts  who  calculate, — 
Comparing  all  the  loss  and  gain 
Which  every  Action  doth  contain. 
Thus  act,  and  you'll  "  established  "  be 
Through  life  and  all  Eternity ! 

{Baba  Bathra  7$b)- 

PreacJung  and  Practice. 

(230)  Some  preach  well  and  act  right, — gladly  ; 
Some  act  right,  though  preaching  badly ; 
You're  exacting  in  your  preaching, 

But  not  acting  as  you're  teaching. 

{Yebamoth  63  b). 


108        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


♦  yaypt  ymz  (23  0 

('f   'fl   PV71?) 


nnito  na^na  (232) 

.  T  T    t      ~;     — 

♦  nwvzb  n*ma  win  wa  ennsn 

*••-;-:  t     :  t    :  |         T  J  t  - 

nm  ns^na 

.  T       T  T     T       -;     " 

:  ng^a?  &$nxa  x^n  ^na  e^bi  pat 

0  ')5  ]»DV7'p) 

nbywi  toil  (233) 
s  nk>ij?n-[a  nni* 

(•  '0  3"3) 

D^nn-nx  n3TDn-S3  (234) 

•     -  T  V  v  -  :     -  T       V       **'/ 

♦  it-^s  «a  Ktsn  px 

T  -  T  :••!•• 

7  a*ann-n«  wanan-^ai 

•        -    T  V  .       -.    _      _  T      . 

:  naitfri  ni^B1?  h*a  Dwaaa-p**   * 


njb  aStya  nnx  nrca  nfcnyn-Sa  (235) 

s  msq  aStyS  wab  roSim  inanpa 

t  -  t    ^  t             t  t  :  v  v          :               t     :J-    : 

(: 'a  rw) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        109 

The  Best  Testimonials. 
(231)  Thine  Acts  may  thee  commend  ; 
Thine  Acts  may  men  offend. 

{Edyoth  V.  7). 


Intentions. 
(232)  A  good  intent  God  deems  a  good  deed  done; 
An  ill  intent  is  not  an  act  begun. 

{Kiddushin  40a). 


Inducing  Others  to  do  Good. 

(233)  Who  makes  another  do  a  noble  deed, 

His  action  doth  his  neighbour's  act  exceed. 

(Baba  Bathra  ga). 

Leading  Men  to  Good  or  Evil. 

(234)  Who  draws  the  multitude 
To  Virtue  and  to  Good — 

Through  him  shall  none  by  sinful  acts  offend ; 

But  he  who  tries  to  win 

The  multitude  to  Sin 
Shall  never  have  the  pow'r  the  wrong  to  mend. 

{Aboth  V.  21). 

A    Good  Deed. 

(235)  A  noble  action,  done  on  earth, 

The  Doer  shall  precede, 
And  to  the  future  world  of  bliss 
It  shall  the  Doer  lead. 

{Sot ah  3/;). 


IIO        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

Dix-W  irrvtos  iwa  (236) 

t  t  v  t     •    :  -    :      • 

tryt&  Si  p£>£  p« 

nnr  nSi  hd:d  «S 

T   T  :  V     V 

•   t    :  -  •  t   -:  : 

t  :    •  •  •     -:  -  t  tv 

('15  '1  TOf>) 


nnx  d*tk  roa  dhiv  aw-n^  d*»m  (237) 
:  nnx  mb  nor*  nnx  s^y  M3?a 

t    v  v  t  :  •  t    v  v    ■•  :   • 

('7  P';r>p  'tit) 


K3Dn  ^  *K7ti  »6  *x  (238) 

iwrm  xn^na  nn30&  mn  ^ 

•  ■         •  •        •  •  • 

(:  ft  pot) 


— nig  d*tx  onm  n#Wa  (239) 
:  togara  to*aa  iDir>5 

•  •  •  • 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        Ill 

Good  Deeds  and  Knowledge. 
(236)  A  man  departing  from  this  world 
Departeth  not  alone  ; 
Not  gold  and  silver  follow  him, 

Nor  pearls,  nor  precious  stone  ; 
Good  deeds  and  knowledge  go  with  him — 
For  ever  all  his  own. 

{Aboth  VI.  9). 


Individual  Merit. 
(237)  The  clouds   in  the  sky  will  their  rain-drops 
oft  yield 
For  the  sake  of  one  man  and  one  grass  and 
one  field. 

{Jer.  Taanith  4). 


Honour  to    Whom  it  is  Due. 
(238)  Had  I  the  sherd  not  lifted  from  the  ground, 
Would  you  the  precious  pearl  beneath  have 
found  ? 

(  Yebamoth  92b). 


Character. 
(239)  By  these  three  things  a  man  we  gauge, — 
His  Cup,  his  Purse,  and  by  his  Rage. 

{Erubin  65/^). 


112        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


(•  l"r>  '7WP) 


—  ^Sh    WS    'KiTT    NDN  (240) 

••  :    •  ••    ••  ••  |t     :  t   t      ^    ~     ' 

:  zrh  )*\p  ndx1)  nw  kdk 


— rqtfy  im  Tnrhv  (241) 


(:  3"'  w:p) 


nnx  pnv  ^3#a  tatyf  (242) 

(:  p"3  fov) 


imt  pir^p  new  r^pp  (243) 

(:  a'jp  '7Wp) 


&|  D^srr^j  (244) 

•    :      •  tv  t  :   • 

(:  '1  ww) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  113 

A   Good  Man  is  Good  Everywhere. 
(240)  A  Myrtle,  which  among  the  thorns  doth  grow, 
Is  still  a  Myrtle,  and  all  call  it  so. 

{Sanhedrin  44^). 


The  Pillar  of  the    World. 
(241)  Upon  one  pillar  all  the  world  doth  rest, — 
Upon  a  "  Righteous  Man," — for  ever  blest. 

(Chagiga  \2b). 


One  Good  Man  saves  the    World. 
(242)  If  e'en  but  one  Good  Man  remains, 
God  for  his  sake  the  world  sustains. 

( Yoma  38^). 


The    Worth  of  a  Noble  Soul. 
(243)  The  soul  of  one  Good  Man  is  worth 
As  much  as  all  that  is  on  earth. 

{Sanhedrin  103/;)- 


A   God-fearing  Man. 
(244)  Accomplished  was  Creation's  plan 
Because  of  one  God-fearing  man. 

{Berachoth  6/>) 

I 


114        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


n?  bp?  (245) 
:  &3  tirm-hs  IMS 

T       ~    T  T  V  v    : 


*         *         # 


&|  DSiyn-1?!  (246) 

:  nrS  nraS  nW  &n^  nS 

v  t                 -   :               tv  t  :   • 

(: '1  potj) 


('  P"'  W») 


—  D^p^V    ^  (247) 


('  'P   P131P3) 


D^pHV   VVP   D^ni  (248) 

I         V    T     T  •     "     T  ..-.-. 


D*HTj?9F   nY^   t^Ttf?  (249) 
(:  p"p  3*3) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        115 

A   God-fearing  Man. 
(245)  Even  one  God-fearing  Soul 

In  the  world  is  worth — the  Whole. 

{Berachoth  6b). 
*  *  -* 


(246)  God  intended  all  Creation 

tion. 

{Berachoth  6b). 


For  a  good  man's  ministration. 


Good  Men  Live  for  Ever. 
{247)  All  righteous  men  are  truly  said 

To  be  alive  e'en  when  they're  dead. 

{Berachoth  18a). 


The  Deeds  of  the  Righteous. 
(248)  The  Deeds  of  the    Righteous,    done  nobly 
and  well, 
The  formation  of  earth  and  of  heaven  excel. 

{Kethuboth  5a). 


The  Name  of  tJie  Righteous. 
(249)  The  Righteous  shall  enjoy  the  highest  fame — 
They   shall   be    called    by    Heaven's    Holy 
Name. 

{Baba  Bathra  75/;). 
12 


Il6       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

vyap-M  pnjrtt?  »n  fn$  Wj^g  (250) 

t-;-      -  : 

(:  f»"3p  pips') 


^-Sa  ntow  aopriS  ^  nwa  (250 

-  t         t  v  "It  •    :  •  -  v  •  •*     ' 

:  Diasn  ♦jsS  pBh  nriK  na#  rnfew1?  x^i 
T .....  ^  T  T    __     TT        T ..      . 

('l  'p   PV7P) 


dhtvm  dwx  d^Shu  (252) 

tt':  I'*"  *  : 


C  '»  D*pD) 


D*p*W?  ni^  D^bnj;  px  (253) 
:  Dinor  p  p  Dnn:n 


•  ina  hiib  nnx  p^  (254) 

•     T      ;   -  t;tv  tt;  tt 

— pfcti  r\htr\i2  wnw  Dipa-^3 

t    :  •    t    ;  -  •    •.•  t  t 

:  PrasS  kW  man  xh  wm 

t   -;  -   :  tv  t  :    t  •    : 

0  Vd  rt'usj) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  WJ 

God  and  the  Righteous, 
(250)  With  the  righteous,  God  deals  with  severity 
rare, 
Particular  e'en  to  the  breadth  of  a  hair. 

( Yebamorh  \i\b). 


The  Name  of  " Fool" 

(251)  I'd  rather  have  throughout  my  days 

The  name  of  "  Fool  "  unto  me  given, 
Than  walk  one  hour  in  evil  ways 
Before  the  seeing  eye  of  Heaven. 

(Edyoth  V.  6). 

The  Greatness  of  Good  Men. 

(252)  Good  men  are  greater  after  death 

Than  when  sustained  by  living  breath. 

(Chulin  *}b). 


Memorial  Statues. 
(253)  A  Good  Man  no  memorial  statue  needs, — 

He's  best    remembered   by  his    words    and 
deeds. 

{Shekalim  7). 


Death  of  a  Good  Man. 
(254)  A  Good  Man  lost  unto  his  age  is  lost ; 
If  one  has  lost  a  pearl  of  precious  cost, 
The  pearl  remains  a  pearl,  where'er  it  be, — 
But  oh  !  the  owner's  loss  none  feels  but  he. 

{Megilla  15a). 


Il8  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


1       •  ... 


(4  7"p  POTS) 

D^ftr}.?  b*5^t  PP3?tf  ntoip-i&y  rt»3  inia  (256) 
-snow  rrfitfa  DSiyn  ntoix  ^nr^  hm 

:t:  t;t^t  ••  t  ;t 

t  1  t   1 
" !  ^niap  nn^K^  nyfiD7  rn  ^ 

t     •     :  v  I :  t  :    t    v  ?     •    :   -  t  : 

(•  6'j  3"3) 

rDrrStf  nSsi  D^nxs  dk  (257) 
n^h  nans  imS 

t  -;  t    -    :         I   t  t  :  • 

nan  nSsa  spi&r  ^roa 

t    -  t    :  t  I  ••  —  : 

(:  p"d  pTw) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        119 

Death  of  a  Good  Man. 
(255)  The  Pious  on  earth  and  the  Angels  of  heaven 
Did  their  hands  on  the  Holy  Ark  lay ; 
Prevailed  have  the  Angels  o'er  those  that  had 
striven, 
And  the  Ark  hath  been  taken  away. 

{Kethuboth  104a). 


DeatJi  of  Abraham. 

(256)  The  day  when  Abraham  our  Father  died, 
The  great  men  of  the  age  all  rose  and  cried  : — 
"  Alas,  the  world  has  lost  its  guide  and  head! 
Woe  to  the  ship  whose  Pilot  now  is  dead  !  " 

{Baba  Bathra  91^). 

Elegy  011  a  Great  Man. 

(257)  If  among  the  mighty  cedars 

Tongues  of  flame  and  fire  did  fall, — 
What  shall  do  the  tender  hyssops 

That  are  growing  on  the  wall  ? 
If  a  net  or  if  an  angle 

Did  Leviathan  draw  out, — 
What  shall  do  the  tiny  fishes 

Gliding  in  the  ponds  about  ? 
If  into  the  sweeping  river 

There  did  fall  a  fishing  hook, — 
What  shall  do  the  tranquil  waters 

Of  the  lakelet  or  the  brook  ? 

{Moed  Katan  25/'). 


120  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 


— DWn   &K  (258) 


C  n>"'  wis) 


Mb  Dnaix  D*jn*  (259) 

••     •  —  •        w    • 

■  >  ■  • 

:  D*Wy  om  toys  &*$ 


C  f"P  P"3) 


DSH^I^  iniia-Sy  ^6?5   DWl  (260) 

T  •      •  •   •  y         ■• 

—rwjtf  *i|  rfbass  p«  rrtrqi  yrw  (261) 

rana  .Snin-S?  (262) 

v     ••  t  :    • 

(4  3";  Mlp) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        121 

Bad  Men. 
(258)  E'en  while  they  live  bad  men  are  said 
To  be,  in  sooth,  already  dead. 

{Berachoth  \%d). 


Promises. 

(259)  Good  people,  though  promising  little  before, 
Do  all  that  they  promise  and  even  much  more; 
But  bad  men   the   words   of  their   promise 

recall, — 
Though  promising  much  they  do  nothing  at 
all. 

{Baba  Metsia  870). 

The   Wicked. 

(260)  The  wicked  even  at  Hell's  gate 
Return  not  from  their  sinful  state. 

{Erubin  19a). 


Who  shall  not  see  God. 
(261)  God  into  his  Holy  Presence 

These  four  classes  ne'er  admits, — 
Those  comprising  Scoffers,  Liars, 
Slanderers  and  Hypocrites. 


{Sanhedrtn  103a). 


Evil  Passions. 
(262)  The  man  that 's  greater  than  his  brother 
Has  greater  passions  than  the  other. 

{Succ ah  $2a). 


122        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

!  *T2rt»fi    h    "iK  (263) 
(•  f»"p  row) 


DV-Sm    vbtf    13Jh&    DIK"^   W  (264) 

T     ;  T     T  ..    -      .       .  T   T  ...  .      .        >  ' 

T  •• 

(:  3";  mid) 

♦  ^mr1?^  wi-ib  nan  rk>r\r\i  jnn  nr  (265) 

t  ;  v  :  v  t    •     :    -       ^    t  t  v  ••     N 

j  nS^n  rnrnittS  nan  wtesi 

T    T  -:  T  -;  -  V  I 

C  3":  M1p) 


(:  3":  mid) 


4"f?n"— i&op  n^n^s  (266) 
♦"mix"— tenjj  tjto;n 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 23 

God  and  Man's  Passiom. 
(263)  Ah  me,  my  heavenly  Sire  ! 
Ah  me,  my  sinful  Desire ! 

{Berachoth  6i«). 


Saved  by  Divine  Grace. 
(264)  Man's  evil  Passions  gather  strength  each  day; 
He  is  the  victim  whom  they  seek  to  slay ; 
Without  God's  help  he  would   become  their 
prey. 

{Succah  52$). 


Man's  Passions  Grow  Stronger. 
(265)  At   first   man's    Passion's    like    a    cobweb's 
thread, 
At  last  becomes  like  thickest  rope  instead. 

{Succah  52a). 


The  Progress  of  oicr  Passions. 
(266)  First  our  Passions  are  like  "  Travelers  ' 
Who  but  briefly  with  us  stay ; 
Then  like  "  Guests  "  upon  a  visit, 
Dwelling  with  us  many  a  day  ; 
And  at  last  become  our  "  Masters," 
Keeping  us  beneath  their  sway. 


{Succah  52a). 


124        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

?  mx-hw  tetta  #»#  n?  Sx  wk  (267) 

T  •  .  •  •  ■ 

^    t  t  •„•  ••  v  ••  ••  v: 

(:  P*j5  P3D) 

jnn  nr  'nana  *»  (268) 

*       T    T  V   ••  T  T  -    T  N  ' 

I        •       ;       -  T  T   T 

rnirte  D*ppiy  nm  dw 

t  :  •  t    :   •  v  -  I     •• 

*  nynw  t#  (269) 
rv«h  hbu 

C  fV  3"3) 


Nra  «aS  (270) 

t     ••  :  t   •       v     »       ' 

T.    ■■    *         ■•        •  •  ••  ■ 

•    •    •                  •  t        • 


(:  'y  mm  'dhO 


in^onS  nanip  ia&n  n*rm  hh  (271) 

t   :    t  :  v     v  J  v  -     :  •  v 

ixton  n«n^  nanip  inasn&r  ^bi 

:v                     .     •                "*l                   t.t.  # 

:  na*pna  inann  ra 

v  tJ-    :    •                  t    :    t  I     •• 

(f>">  'a  rof>) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 25 

The  Idols  within  a  Man. 

(267)  What  Idols  hath  man's  heart  within  ? 
His  Passions  tempting  him  to  sin. 

{Shabbath  105^). 

The  Torah  and  the  Passions. 

(268)  'Twas  I,  my  children,  did  create  your  Passion ; 
An  Antidote — the  Torah  I  did  fashion  ; 
And,  labouring  in  the  Torah  every  hour, 
You  shall  not  fall  into  your  Tempter's  power. 

{Kiddushin  30$). 

Satan. 

(269)  Satan  on  earth  leads  men  astray, 

And  then  accuses  them  in  heaven, — 
And  when  to  him  permission  's  given, 
He  takes  their  mortal  life  away. 

{Baba  Bathra  16a). 

The  Agents  of  Sin. 

(270)  The  human  Eye  and  Heart  within 
Are  two  Commissioners  of  Sin. 

{Jer.  Berachoth  3b). 

Fear  of  Sin. 

(271)  When  Fear  of  Sin  man's  wisdom  doth  precede, 

His  wisdom  shall  endure  ; 

But  when  his  wisdom  is  the  first  to  lead, 

His  wisdom  is  not  sure. 

{Aboth  ill.  11). 


126        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

Dnr?  r\uhufo  barton  (272) 
♦         —  ♦  mitt  ♦tS  xi  nm  r*o 

t  ••  -:  ••    •  t  t    -         I     ••  : 

T  T  J    .    -      ..  W       - 

♦  ^Sin  ping  f^ 

I         :     v   :        I      •        I  ••  •  •    t  t    -  ••  :    •    : 

#  *  # 

onn  nB^tfi  Sinon  (273) 
— ♦  miy  h^  ni  nnx  r*o 

J  D*1MJ  1SD1  Tfewa-Sn 

•       .  ••  I  T 

('6   '3  JJUfr) 


miu  n^imn  (274) 
:  miaa  wto 

(•  D*3  f»PV) 


miy  niiy  0f$  n$  (2?5) 

:  r\)b&  nn  is  mm  b-dk  «?« 
.    -  T . .   1 ..         f  v 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


127 


Hozv  to  Escape  Sin. 

{272)  Upon  three  things  reflect  within, 

And  you'll  not  fall  a  prey  to  Sin  ! 

Think  whence  you  come,  and  whither  go, 

And  in  Whose  presence  you  must  show 

A  true  account  of  Life  below ! 

{Aboth  III.  1 ). 


{273)  O  ponder  well  upon  three  things  alway, 

And  then  you  shall  not  fall  to  Sin  a  prey ! 

Reflect !  above  you  there's  an  Eye  to  look, 
And  there's  an  Ear  that  heareth  all  you  say, 

And  all  your  acts  are  written  in  a  Book  ! 

{Aboth  II  1). 


Evil  Thoughts. 
{274)  Man's  evil  thoughts  within 
Are  worse  than  actual  sin. 


{Yoma  29a). 


Sin  is  Insanity. 
(275)  No  man  commits  a  sin,  you'll  find, 
If  madness  enters  not  his  mind. 


{Sot ah  $a). 


128       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

n»e059  ?na»  (276) 

xtpin  Qnx  p«  (277) 

^nD!i  mar  nniy  dik  (278) 

t:  tt  •:"  |t  |t_: 


('  '»  P13-J3) 


owpn  «M5^  p;|  (279) 

t     ••  ^  •    t      : 


Nt?n  *ra  rova  rx  (280) 

(•  ?":  P3D) 


nn  nm  may  d-tk  *ar#  mj  (281) 

T  T    T        I  T   "     -;  T    T  "TV  |  T       ••  x  « 

:  iS  mm 

(:  ft  p*w) 


t  : 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 29 

The  Power  of  Sin. 
(276)  The  baneful  power  of  Sin 
Benumbs  the  heart  within. 

( Yoma  39^). 


Man  Sins  for  Himself 
(277)  No  man  will  e'er  a  sin  commit 
Unless  he  gains  some  benefit. 


{Shebuoth  42b). 


Secret  Sins. 

(278)  The  secret  sinner  shall  be  put  to  shame, 
For  God  will  openly  his  sin  proclaim. 

{Sot ah  3a). 

Sin  and  Sinners. 

(279)  Let  but  the  reign  of  Sin  be  o'er, 

And  those  who  sin  would  sin  no  more ! 

(Berachoth  10a). 


Death  and  Suffering. 

(280)  There  are  no  pangs  except  what  Sin   will 

bring,— 
Without  it  there's  no  Death  nor  Suffering. 

(Shabbath  55«). 

Force  of  Habit. 

(281)  Who  twice  commits  a  wrong 
Esteems  it  right  ere  long. 

(Moed  A'a/au  27b). 
K 


130  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

N&n  tib\  Dnx-S^  mm  nh  }*«*#  ma  (282) 

T   t  :  t  t  T        :  :  t  •.•        I  t   ••      v  ' 

(:  p"3  for) 


(: 'i  jv;r>rO 


Ma  rmr  i1?  #»#  Dnx-^3  (283) 

•     T  -  "  V  T    T  T  v  »"" 


B»sn&n  Dnx-S^  (284) 
:  K&in  tfin  mnaa  rib 

t  ••    ;    • 


-"MBtei  KtDHK  :ri£W  xtonK"  n^ixn  (285) 

(:  ?"p  for) 


nrn^n  ib>ij?^  ^  n$<  (286) 

(♦  D*'  fa) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        131 

Habit  Proof  against  Sin. 
(282)  When  once  the  greater  part  of  life  is  o'er, 
He  will  not  sin  who  hath  not  sinned  before. 

( Yoma  38/'). 


SJiamelessness. 
(283)  Who  feels  no  sense  of  shame  at  all, 

Through  sin  shall  stumble  and  shall  fall. 

{Taanith  yb). 


Self- Reverence. 
(284)  That  man  will  not  so  quickly  sin 

Who  feels  a  sense  of  shame  within. 

{Nedarim  20a). 


Sinning  and  Repenting. 
(285)  Who  thinks,  as  often  as  he  strays, 
Of  turning  from  his  evil  ways, 
Will  go  on  sinning  to  the  end, 
Without  the  pow'r  his  ways  to  mend. 

( Yoma  85//). 


Repent  while  Strong. 
(286)  How  happy  is  that  man,  and  ah,  how  blest, 
Who  mends  his  ways  while  still   of  strength 
possess'd  ! 


(Aboda  Zara  19a). 
K  2 


132       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


()"»   '2  W36) 


im  dv  n^  (287) 


Dnaty  natfn  ^atf  DipD  (288) 

•      •         ^  T  ••  "  I  •  •    ™ 

(:  i'b  P013) 


C  '"P  P"3) 


D*ito  ttfcwi  nmBto  (289) 

^H  tt&ri  (290) 
to&rx  lew  nW  ny 

t    -:  •    •• 

T    T 

T  -.      ... 
—\hto  *onn  kW  iv 


DiDft1?  d-tx  p§^  nnny  (291) 
nnnS  dik  pap  nhM 

..    -;  -  T    T  I        •      V 

:  narrna  mn^-ns  ^aaa  Dn^an  dv  rx 

••  -:  v  v    - :  v  -         ••  -    :  •        •    -  |     •• 

0  d"p  for) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 33 

Repent  in  Time. 

(287)  Repent  and  turn  to  God  on  high 
The  day  before  you're  doomed  to  die  ! 

(Aboth  II.  15). 

The  Penitent. 

(288)  Where  stays  the  true  repentant  band, 
The  wholly  Righteous  cannot  stand. 

(Berachoth  34^). 

A   Shield  against  Punishment. 

(289)  Who  do  good  deeds  and  of  ill  deeds  repent, 

Receive  a  shield  to  ward  off  punishment. 

(Aboth  IV.  13). 

No  Atonement  without  Reparation. 

(290)  He  who  restores  the  robb'd  or  stolen  things 
Before  his  trespass-sacrifice  he  brings, 

Emerges  from  his  guilty  sphere  ; 
Who  brings  a  sacrifice  for  expiation 
Before  he  makes  the  needful  restoration — 

He  cannot  from  his  sin  be  clear ! 

(Baba  Kama  110a). 

Day  of  Atonement. 

(291)  The  sins  which  erring  man   commits  'gainst 

Heaven 
Are  on  the  Day  of  Pardon  all  forgiven  ; 
But  he's  not  pardoned  who  has  wronged  another 
Until  he  fully  reconciles  his  brother. 

( Yotna  85^). 


134  GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD. 

Mto  dwm  m^na  nnx  n^^  ne*  (292) 

•  •":"  T  •      «  -—  TT  T   T        v         ^         ' 

nm  dtijd 

V   -  T        ^    T 

♦  Kan  D^iyn  »rH«Bp 
N^n  oSiys  mn  rnip-W  nn«  n»#  n*n 

T-  T^T-  -j  V  --  TT  TT; 

d-ik-Sb'  iaSa  nnx  nmp  nato  (293) 

•*  *     2  • 


(•  't  nr)3) 


j.      .        -  T      "      • 


— Dnaix  cna  ^  (294) 

1.  .  v  t    :   • 

\  r\mp  *#5K1  DH^pn  && 

•  •  ••   •■  ••  > 

•  •  * 

orwj?j  new 

:  -  v  t  :    •   v 

— onate  1W1  ^ 

•   :  ••  t 

t    t  v  •  ••  :      - 

:   • :  t  t    t  v 


GEMS   FROM  THE  TALMUD.  1 35 

Repentance  and  Good  Deeds. 

(292)  If  spent  in  penitence  and  in  good  deeds, 
One  hour  on  earth  all  life  in  heav'n  exceeds  ; 
Though  sweeter  is  one  hour  of  heavnly  bliss 
Than  all  this  life  of  earthly  happiness. 

(Aboth  IV.  22). 

Coyitrilion. 

(293)  One  contrition  in  man's  heart 's  of  more  avail 
Than  with  many  stripes  his  body  to  assail. 

{Berachoth  *]a). 

The  Innocent  and  the  Penitent. 

(294)  The  Pious  say, — 

O  happy  we  that,  free  from  blame, 

By  youthful  ways 
Have  never  left  remorse  and  shame 
For  later  days  ! 
The  Penitent  say, — 

O  happy  we  that,  older  grown, 

By  mended  ways 
Have  been  enabled  to  atone 
For  early  days  ! 
All  exclaim, — 

O  happy  he  that's  innocent, 

And  hath  no  sins  o'er  which  to  grieve  ! 
But  he  that  sinned  let  him  repent, 
And  gracious  pardon  he'll  receive  ! 

{Sue c ah  53a). 


136        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


(:  jfl  po-)3) 


♦  B^  n;5  Sin  (295) 


:  inix  pi^fi 

(: '■  r>or>) 

*      *      * 

K6B^   KS  (297) 

♦  iS  pnrne 

"     T      •  T 

:  inix  p»pa 

(:  p"3  for) 


♦  *fi$  Sin  (298) 
♦  ruvo  rviBhm 

T  •  T      • 

♦  fha  dSvjh  ata:n 
1  D^vn  tra-itf  din  yzn  (299) 

v  v    :  t  :  •  v  t  t  •    t      v     s*s  / 

(p"»  'a  P-.36) 


GEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  1 37 

Man  is  a  Free  Agent. 

(295)  All   things   are   swayed    by  God   upon    His 

throne ; 
The  Fear  of  Heav'n  depends  on  man  alone. 

{Berachoth  33^). 

Free-will. 

(296)  A  man  along  that  road  is  led 
Which  he  himself  desires  to  tread. 

{Maccoth  10b). 
*  *  * 

(297)  To  be  unclean  whoe'er  desires 

Finds  open  wide  the  door  ; 
And  to  be  pure  whoe'er  aspires 
Is  aided  even  more. 

( Yoma  38/;). 

Omniscience  and  Free-zvill. 

(298)  Yea,  everything's  foreseen  by  Heaven, 
And  yet  to  man  free  will  is  given  ! 

The  world  is  judged,  grace  never  failing, 

According  to  the  deeds  prevailing. 

{Aboth  III.  19). 

The  Divine  Image. 

(299)  Belov'd  is  man,  for  he  hath  been  alone 

Form'd  in  the  image  of  his  God  above  ! 
And  this  prerogative  has  been  made  known 
To  him  by  special  grace  of  heav'nly  love. 

{Aboth  III.  18). 


138  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 


w^re  iipsth  ninx  (300) 


C  f»"p  PO")3) 


MM    DTK    p«  (301) 

T      ;     •  tt  |       ••        ^w  ' 


(:  fv  i'i) 


xnyv   MB1?  (302) 

■    •  • 


0"3  '?  TO*) 


vby  p«9^  in*!*  n&brrS?  (303) 
:  dSij?^  n^5i^  N*aa 

0  'p  jwd) 

— rb&n  rrtfcxn   *  nna "  n&  (304) 

t     t   -  v  v  v    :    -  ~    v 

— pfcja  rrriegij  wrn?H  t|« 

t  t  v  t        -:  t         I    I  •     :  -    :         ) 

KDTvh  anvM  n*r  (305) 


(:  'u  wop) 


:  *nin  wth  KpaiD  nhm 

t:  •  t  ;  ;  Jt   : 


t    : 


GEMS   FROM  THE  TALMUD.  1 39 

Responsib  ility. 

(300)  Though  last  in  all  Creation's  plan, 
The  first  for  punishment  came  man. 

(Berachoth  61a). 

Sufferers  not  Responsible. 

(301)  Responsibility  should  never  rest 

On  him  that  is  by  pain  or  grief  oppress'd. 

{Baba  Bathra  16b). 

Suffering. 

(302)  As  present  pains, 

So  future  gains ! 

{Aboth  V.  26). 


Rejoicing  in  Suffering. 

(303)  He  in  the  world  salvation  brings 
Who  takes  with  joy  his  sufferings. 

{Taanith  8a). 

Suffering  Cleanses  Sin. 

(304)  As  by  a  law  of  God  all  meat 

By  salt  is  rendered  pure  and  sweet, 
So  by  a  law  of  the  great  King 
All  sins  are  cleansed  by  Suffering. 

{Berachoth  5a). 

Suffering  the  Jew's  Ornament. 

(305)  For  Jews  Affliction  's  fit  and  Need 
As  a  red  thong  for  a  white  steed. 

( Chagiga  Qb). 


140       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

wn  fr$  tfinjan  n?n  (306) 
%      -birth  \rh  rraito  rrna-SrSs 

:  W38  nW  N¥9  a&1 

(:  '15  M»#) 

*&&$    MS1?  (30;) 

*     •  • 


0  a*'  cwp) 


♦  nvp  Dvn  (308) 


t        t    : 


('0  '3  flltf) 


••     :  -  t  t     -   : 


_jn  b$)  pwi  pnv  nv|"jH  (309) 

:  pa  •rm  n^an 

I     v  t  I  v  v  :  t    •     : 

(:  3"b  ncm) 

KW1   ^3  (3io) 

(:  top  P35) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        141 

Test  of  Israel's  Character. 

(306)  When  God  was  seeking  what  should  be  the  test 
Of  all  the  virtues  Israel  possess'd, — 

He  found  that  dire  affliction  was  the  best. 

{Chagiga  gb). 

Burdens. 

(307)  According  to  the  camel's  strength  and  size 
Great  is  the  burden  that  upon  him  lies. 

{Sotah  13^). 

Brevity  of  Life. 

(308)  Short,  alas,  how  short  's  the  day  ! 

Whilst  the  labour  's  much  and  great ! 
Yet  the  workmen  idle  stay, 
Though  the  guerdon's  ample  pay, 

And  the  Master  will  not  wait ! 

{Aboth  II.  20). 

Courage. 

(309)  For  these  four  things  all  men  require 
A  Hero's  courage  and  his  fire, — 

To  seek  true  Knowledge,  do  the  Right, 
To  pray  to  God,  and  fight  Life's  fight. 

.%  {Berachoth  32^). 

The    Wheel  of  Fortune. 

(310)  In  the  world  a  wheel  is  found 
Ever  turning  round  and  round  ! 

{Shabbath  151^). 


142       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

nnThsS  nan  ron  Dbtyn  (31O 

•  i  •  •    *  ■  • 

♦  Nan  Dbiyn  ^sa 

.1.—..         *.  i>  •  ..  ••• 

(to  '7  ro6) 

na^  nnosi  mts  xW  ^  (312) 

t  -  v  v  :  -  t  v  .      \*s        / 

t  -     :  I  t     ••   •• 

annj  nW  dixS  iS  rria  (313) 

t  :    •  •.•  tt:  -  »"     w ' 

t  :  •  v     • 

■  •  •  •  • 

D-tX-^D    *h  (314) 

x      *        •  ••       •  •  •• 

(: 'r  po-)3) 

n:jn  D^iyn  ^ujpg  vSy  ^jpp  S3  (315) 

t   -  t    ^  t  ..       -.   -  ....         I     •   : 

ran  nbtyn  ^urn  Sap»  tow  hh) 
:  X3n  oSiyn  ^tijjjg  i?  pnto 

('p  p":>  ;"i7f») ' 


GEMS   FROM  THE  TALMUD.  1 43 

Life  and  Eternity. 

(311)  To  the  world  of  future  bliss, 

Like  a  vestibule  is  this  ; 

In  the  vestibule  prepare, 

Enter  then  the  Palace  fair  ! 

(AbothlV.  21). 


Labour  Here,  Reward  Hereafter. 
(312)  If  on  Friday  man  doth  not  prepare, 

What  shall  serve  him  for  his  Sabbath  fare  ? 

{Aboda  Zara  3a). 


Is  Life   W or tli  Living  ? 

(313)  'Twere  better  man  had  had  no  birth, 
And  ne'er  had  come  to  live  on  earth  ; 
But  since  he  lives,  let  him  be  wise, 
And  all  his  actions  scrutinize. 

(Erttbin  13/'). 

Two  Banquets. 

(314)  Tis  not  to  all  the  privilege  is  given 

To  have  one  banquet  here  and  one  in  heaven. 

(Berackoth  $b). 

Pleasures. 

(315)  Life's  earthly  pleasures  who  pursues, 
The  joys  of  heaven  he  shall  lose  ; 
Who  earthly  pleasures  doth  resign, 
Shall  gain  eternal  bliss  divine. 

{Aboth  of  R.  Nathan  XXV1I1.  5). 


144        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 


roaS  bn«  p|io  (316) 
iDHaty  Dn  nrvaS  'jam 

t        -  -tv  •• :      - 

♦  mim  'haw 

t         -  t  -:  - 

nto  d^3  S™ 

— inaana  r\bhw  tax  vSsn 

t   :     t    :  :  -   t  t   t  ; 

" !  nito  ja&f  a  dd>  nito " 


C  *"'  JW3) 


pn$)  pnrhi  (317) 

:  •   :  t  I    •    : 

0  3":p  P3D) 


♦  nnx  ny^3  iaSiy  n:ip  b£  (3Ig) 
:  o'j#  tvx&  iaSiy  rcrip  &h 

•    r  T    -     ;  T     ^  v    I  -  : 


GEMS   FROM  THE  TALMUD.  145 

The  Aim  of  Life. 
(316)  For  cattle  waits  the  slayer's  knife  ; 

Man's  doomed  to  die,  however  loth  ; 
One  common  goal  awaits  them  both — 

They  needs  must  quit  the  stage  of  life  ! 

But  happy  is  that  man  and  blest 

Whose  toil  makes  knowledge  all  his  own, 
Who  doeth  nought  but  that  alone 

Which  pleaseth  his  Creator  best  ; 

Who  lives  enjoying  a  good  name, 
Which  is  far  better  than  good  oil, 
And,  as  the  fruits  of  his  life's  toil, 

Behind  him  leaves  immortal  fame ! 

{Berachoth  17 'a). 


Heaven. 
(317)  A  special  mansion  will  in  heaven 
To  every  pious  man  be  given. 


(Skabbath  152a). 


Eternal  Happiness. 
(318)  One  man  may  win,  in  one  brief  hour, 
His  world  of  future  bliss; 
Another — after  struggling  hard 
For  many  years  in  tins. 


(Aboda  Zara  1 8a). 


146        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

— *h  rurw  to  iS  run  (319) 

|t  t   t    ;    •  ;  t; 

tt:?:  t-  |—  tt;t: 

(J  3"^p  P3D) 


&S  d:dj  Dm?  (320) 

t  t   :    •  t       w  ' 

— naae  xr  erwi 

,  v .     ....      r : 

iniraia  rwrr  «nn^  wbi 


♦  <T5  p?Tjj  prx  e^g  -en  \-iiS;n  (32 0 
:  nvr  rS^to  tan  *»anw  nnxS 

••  t       I    •  It-  •    :    :       •      :  -  -:  - 

(: jfr  top) 

Dnx-S&r  isp  smpib>  mj  (322) 

T  T  V  I  •  _        •     •      V  I  T     "  N~  ' 

nrusrt  Sy  Snn  (323) 

0  ^"'P  '7^) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 47 

Purity  of  the  Soul. 
(319)  Restore  thy  Spirit  pure  to  Heaven, 
As  pure  as  when  to  thee  'twas  given  ! 

{Shabbath  152/;). 


Birth  and  Death. 
(320)  Man  enters  naked  at  his  birth, 

And  naked  leaves  this  life  on  earth  ; 
Would  that  in  sin  he  were  the  same 
When  he  departs  as  when  he  came  ! 

( Yoma  864). 


Place  of  Death, 
(321)  A  man's  own  feet  are  pledged  to  fly 

And  bring  him  where  he's  doomed  to  die. 

{Succah  53//). 


Helplessness  at  Death. 
(322)  When  a  man's  end  is  drawing  near, 
Then  over  him  all  domineer. 

{Ncdarim  41a). 


Loss  by  Death. 
(323)  Alas,  that  lost  to  us  are  men 

Whom  we  can  never  find  again  ! 

{Sanhedrin  Ilia). 

L2 


148        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

p*v>3*6  tt?  (324) 
*  1  TDK1?  xhi 

.  t  ••  -:  -  : 

i#9  Dnx-Sy  nij?OT  Titerr1?!  (325) 
:  vm  jvia  |n^  pgto  win  ^na  Bhnsn 

(:  p"p  P3D) 


^rjj  n^fip  n?w  'rW^  (326) 

T      •     •  ^       T  •  ■•  —  •    —  ■ 


0  Uw3   P"3) 


— nn&?n  ^^  D*an  dik  *ja  (327) 
:  pbaia  &Sm  px^j  ^n 

(•  7";  pnu?) 


♦  nn^7  pntM?  pn.rj  na  (328) 

I"    :    :    - :  t  :        •■    |-    :  t    :     - 

C  rt  f  3) 


GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD.        149 

Mourning. 
(324)  O  weep  for  us  who  live  to  mourn, 

And  not  for  him  whom  we  have  lost ! 
For  he  has  to  his  rest  been  borne, 
We — in  a  sea  of  grief  are  toss'd. 

(Moed  Katan  25/;). 

Tears  over  a  Pious  Man. 
{325)  All  the  tear-drops  that  are  shed 
When  a  pious  man  is  dead, 
One  by  one  are  counted  o'er, 
Treasured  up  in  heaven's  store. 

{Shabbath  105^). 


Efficacy  of  Tears. 

(326)  Though  heaven's  gates  be  closed  to  pray'r, 
To  tears  they  stand  wide  open  e'er. 

(Baba  Metsia  59#). 

Men  are  as  Grass. 

(327)  As  the  herbs  of  the  field  are  we  mortals  each 

day, 
For   some   are   all   blooming,   some    fading 


away ! 


(Erubin  54a). 


Old  Age. 
(328)  When  we  were  young,  we  deemed  ourselves 
men ; 
But  now,  when  old,  we  are  schoolboys  again. 

{Baba  Kama  92b). 


ISO  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

♦  n^Jnfc  nn  psip  (329) 

(•  3";p  7)Yj) 


*  #m    ^l-rK^pj!  (330) 

•  •     •        •  •  T  *       '  T 

C  3"jp  P3D)     * 


inn1?!?  n^ij?  tn$£  on^  (331; 

C  3":p  P3D) 


0  'p  cw) 


&$  ftfa  mm  rr$B3  (332) 


EnwsrriK  j^  wn  ^h|  rnj?n  px  (333) 

T  ••      r  V  T    T  T    V 

Cf>  ?"->   'DO') 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  I  5  I 

Youth  and  Old  Age. 
(329)  To  use  two  feet  instead  of  three 
Is  better  far  for  men  ; 
Alas  for  youth  !  when  once  it  goes 
It  never  comes  again  ! 

{Shabbath  152a). 


(330)  Youth  is  a  wreath  of  roses,  white  and  red ; 
Old  age — a  crown  of  thorns  upon  the  head. 

{Shabbath  152a). 


Remorse  of  the  Old, 
(331)  The  acts  men  do,  when  young  and  gay, 
Will  cloud  their  face  when  old  and  grey. 

{Shabbath  l$2a). 


Measure  for  Measure. 
(332)  With  the  measure  with  which  man  metes  to 
men 
It  will  be  measured  to  him  again. 

{Sotah  U). 


Man  is  Judged. 
(333)  As  he  is  now,  man's  judged  on  high, 
Not  as  he  may  be  by-and-by. 

[Jer.  Rosh  Hashana  1). 


152  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

— crt*3  Sn^-hx  ft  x^n  ^rcj  trnjri  (334) 

t  :  t    -  •    t  ••  ;     ^   t  v    : 


hKtta  rwfafi  oma^S  nn*n  nnito  n^ma  (335) 

T-;  t  ;  t      t  ;    —    :  t  :   t  t  i  t     I"       >•"'<'/ 

••     -  :  •  -  •  t  v         v  v  t  •• 

D^yrrp  wa«  BTtw  ntssu^  to^'m 

T     ^    T        I   •  •     t  T      T  J    "  ":••.•  TT" 

:  r\m  S-tas  ptnS™  *on  ma  Irtish  nSttt 

t-  -:":  tt:  |         t  |t-  tt: 

(:  f\)  3"3) 


—ryhfa  np$  *6  rtrtnae  n#*?e>  (336) 

T    -  V  -      ...      - 

(•  :"'p  'top) 


OEMS   FROM   THE   TALMUD.  1 53 

Israel  and  the  Heathens. 
(334)  God  judges  Israel  by  day, — 

What  time  His  precepts  they  obey  ; 
By  night  the  Heathens  judges  He, — 
What  time  from  sinning  they  are  free. 

{Jer.  Rosh  Hashana  1). 


The  Knowledge  of  God. 
{335)  A  precious  pearl  wore  Abraham 
Around  his  neck  revealed,' 
And  when  the  sick  had  gazed  on  it 

Each  one  at  once  was  healed ; 
And  when  at  length  the  Patriarch 

From  life  had  passed  away, 
God  took  and  hanged  that  precious  pearl 
Upon  the  orb  of  day. 

(Baba  Rat  lira  \bb). 


Special  Providence. 
(336)  Three  Keys  are  in  the  hands  of  Heaven, 
Which  never  are  to  agents  given  : — 
God  makes  the  rain  to  fall  on  earth  ; 
He  guards  the  woman  giving  birth  , 
And  He  will  cause,  when  time  is  sped, 
The  resurrection  of  the  Dead. 

{Sanhedrin  113a). 


154        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

n$S&{J    ty!l?K    ^3    ffl$    1^  (337) 

t   :    t    :     •  t    t         J    •      •  ;   -        I-  •  t    v 

(:  'i  yb)v) 


i«i  fn^  ^in^n-^  toys  ny&r?  £»ttj  (338) 

•    -:   -  t  v 

(:  r*p  o'ppp) 


n^p  nnn^*^  *vm  nah  tnx  n?rr  D^tyS  (339) 


:  pc?v^  (irgtity  rgfap  nnnw  ^«?0 

(:  ''  P30) 


riEb>  K^in  ifn?  tfnjai  p«  (340) 

(: '»  rtw) 


V  I     T    T      T 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  155 

Divine  Providence. 
(337)  Below  not  e'en  a  finger's  maimed 
Unless  above  'tis  so  proclaimed. 

{Chuliu  *]b). 


God's  Mercy. 
(338)  Though  this  the  moment  of  God's  anger — 
yet 
His  tender  mercy  He  doth  not  forget. 

{Pesac/iim  87^). 


New   Towns. 
(339)  Strive  thou  to  dwell  within  a  Town  that's 
new  ! 
For   since  'tis   young,  its   sins   will   be    but 
few. 

(Shabbath  lob). 


The  Fall  of  the   Wicked. 
(340)  The  Holy  One,  who  loveth  all, 
Rejoiceth  not  when  sinners  fall. 


{Mcgitla  10b). 


156       GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

;rw  *\b)h  r\iwr\  ^aSa  *te?  (34O 
— xm  ifna  tfnjan  n&x 
D»a  panto  *t  to" 

t  -         I    •    :  -t  ..    -.  - 


nit  rnnua  -isin-Sa  (342) 

TT  T  -;   -  ••  "  T         v"^ 


(•  a*1  riw) 


t  :  * 


n^ft  nirn1?  (343) 
i  nimis  rt»rtw 


(J  i"9  D'PPP) 


ni«nS  pa1?  rweh  pijm  xSdSk  (344) 
:  ppwi  ^ab  inaxh  rb)y  rrifh$  p« 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 57 

The  Drowning  of  the  Egyptians. 
(341)  The  night  when   Egypt's  host  was  doomed 
to  expire, 
The  angels  ministering  in  Heaven's  choir 
Prepared   to   sing   their   wonted    hymns    of 

praise, 
•When   lo !    the    Holy   One    their   chanting 

stays  : — 
"  There  are  my  creatures  sinking  in  the  deep  ; 
This  is  no  time  to  sing,  but  time  to  weep." 

{Megilla  io£). 


Idolatry. 
(342)  Who  doth  idolatry  eschew 

Is  worthy  of  the  name  of  "  Jew." 


{Megilla  13a). 


The  Tables  of  Stone. 
(343)  The  Tables  were  shattered, 
The  Letters  were  scattered. 

{Pesachim  87^). 


Spirits. 
(344)  None  could  stand  the  sprites  that  fill  the  air, 
Could  the  human  eye  but  see  them  there. 

(Berachoth  6a). 


I  $8  GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD. 

TWk    ^  (345) 

C  3"0p  P3D) 


(•  '9  wan) 


arrptf  nS  k1^  xnr  (346) 

T         •     ;  t        •       •      • 


V  i  1*0177) 


-*P3  (347) 


I!!  d:^  (348) 


0  p'd  i^nv; 


^ 


C  3"5  P35) 


"    T 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  I  59 

Econorny. 
(345)  The  lamp  that  imparteth   to    one    man  its 

Hght 

Can   impart  it   to  many  and   shine  just    as 
bright. 

{Shabbath  122a). 


False  Economy. 
(346)  You  lack  the  cash  to  buy  the  needed  fare, — 
Yet  cash  for  what  is  needless  you  can  spare. 

(Chagzga  $a). 


Wealth. 
(347)  The  magic  pow'r  of  Gold  is  sure 
To  make  the  most  ignoble  pure. 

{Kiddushin  70a). 


Drink. 

(348)  To  drink  is  a  folly  as  well  as  a  sin — 

The  secret  goes  out  when  the  wine  has  come 
in. 

{Erubin  65a). 

The  Inevitable. 

(349)  Leave  the  drunkard,  touch  him  not  at  all ! 
For  the  drunkard  of  himself  will  fall. 

{Shabbath  32a). 


l6o        GEMS  FROM  THE  TALMUD. 

♦  "xa^  xna?  (350) 
:  ^nnin  xna  xbz 

(:  ?'pp  P3D) 


T      T  T 


(*  3^  ]'77Wp) 


xs-dS  mon  (35O 
1  &*pj  xaWS  n^ai 

|..T  T   T   -     .  ••     :   - 


(:  v'b  p"3) 


)1X    ROHf^lfip  (352) 

:  x&nai  xapa  x^a    vh>vtti 

t    :    -      :  t  |-..   :  t  I     •    :  -    :      • 


C  'a  i^n'i;) 


♦fintf  *yi  txrp  (353) 
:  x&*an  xbi  xnnp  xS 

t       •   -:  t  :  t      •):  t 


!  pxanS  nnto  prnyj  »to  (354) 
:  dv-^m  pxroin  «*n  p  xS&W' 

t    ;         )      •    :  •  t         I  ••  ••    t    :    •    v 

(•  p"p  mm) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  l6l 

The  Apparel  oft  Proclaims  the  Man. 
(350)  I'm   honoured  at  home  for  myself  and  my 
name, 
But  abroad — for  my  garments  and  not  for 
my  fame. 

{Shabbath  145^). 


Making  a    Virtue  of  Necessity. 

(351)  A  thief,  without  a  chance  to  steal, 
An  honest  man  will  try  to  feel. 

{Sanhedrin  22b). 

Smartness. 

(352)  Thou  art  from  Pumbaditha,  where  they  try 
To  pass  an  elephant  through  a  needle's  eye. 

{Baba  Mel  si  a  38/;). 

Partners. 

(353)  When  partners  own  and  boil  a  pot, 
'Tis  never  cold  and  never  hot. 

{Em bin  $a). 


Impostors. 
(354)  Let's  be  grateful  to  impostors 
Who  deceive  us  on  our  way ! 
If  it  were  not  for  impostors 
We'd  be  sinning  every  day. 


{Kethuboth  68a). 
M 


1 62  GEMS    FROM    THE  TALMUD. 

jtetoan  d™  in  N^n?^  dv  (355) 
— iaa  nisn  vSa  napGP'tf  ma 

-T  T     "  TT  Tl;TV  I  T     •• 

Wi&tf  ^a#a  ke#  p1?  i«M 

•  TV  *      I  *  *   ■  ▼ 

♦  *hh1  virh  itm  n»a  *n#n  D^iy 

•  t  t     -      1  •  -t  t:|:-v  t       •  •  : 

n^kj^a  natea  rvjana  n^v  rra 

T  :  -    -  T  v  •  -:   -   :  ••  t  t 

♦  taoa  naia  mrh 

IV  J  t  t         ; 

— isk  *)mn  *nj&&  rhv&  rva 

-      T  "     "        "  T     T    V  |T     •• 


•  rn;  foruM  D^iy  (356) 

(:  7";  to) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 63 

The  First  Sunset  Seen  by  Adam. 
(355)  Thus  Adam  cried  when  first  he  saw 

The  setting  of  the  sun  : — 
"  Ah  me  !  perhaps  'tis  through  my  sin, 

That  grievous  sin  I've  done, 
The  world  grows  dark  and  now  returns   . 

To  its  chaotic  state —  ; 
This  is  the  death  decreed  by  Heaven 

To  be  my  bitter  fate  !  " 
Throughout  that  night  he  sat  and  prayed, 

As  sat  and  prayed  his  bride ; 
All  night  he  fasted  and  he  wept, 

Eve  weeping  at  his  side. 
But  when  at  dawn  he  saw  again 

The  precious  light  of  day, 
With  grateful  heart  he  then  exclaimed, — 

"  This  is  but  Nature's  way  !  " 

{Aboda  Zara  8a). 


Course  of  Nature   Uniform. 
(356)  Ne'er  from  its  course  will  Nature  bend, 
Though  fools  against  God's  laws  offend  ! 
But  of  their  folly  and  offence 
Those  fools  shall  take  the  consequence. 

{Aboda  Zara  54^). 
M  2 


164  GEMS   FROM    THE  TALMUD. 

DWin  dv  'jh!  (357) 

I     v  t  t  •  -  t  ::•••• 

(J  'l  jvjup) 


♦  D'oSiy  djw  d*sWi  (358) 

••"  ■         **    2  T     T         •    V  '        1 

♦  rorixa  &Tfy 
— "laix  aran  dpi^b 

t   -  v     ••  -: 

(*  3*3  f»pv) 


rr&ran  nto^>  njci  DSiyn  pa  j*x  (359) 


(:  7"5  po-53) 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 65 

Natural  and  Supernatural. 
(357)  The  day  when  rain's  descending  is  as  great 
As  when  did  God  the  heav'n  and  earth  create. 

(Taanith  7/'). 


The  Friends  of  God. 
(358)  Those  who,  being  persecuted, 

In  return  ne'er  persecute  ; 
Those  who  hear  themselves  offended 

Yet  are  patient  and  are  mute  ; 
Those  who  act  from  purest  motives, 

Doing  good  from  love  of  God  ; 
Those  who  suffer  and  are  cheerful, 

Welcoming  the  chastening  rod, — 
Such  are  they  of  whom  says  Scripture, 

"And  His  Friends ■,  at  noontide  bright, 
Shall  shine  forth  in  strength  and  glory 

As  the  sun  doth  in  Ids  might !  " 


( Yoma  23a). 


The  Messianic  Time. 
(359)  The  Messianic  time  in  this  alone 

Will  be   distinguished    from    the   present 
day,— 
No  Tyrant  then  shall  sit  upon  a  throne, 
And  all  Oppression  shall  have  passed  away. 

{Berachoth  34/;). 


1 66  GEMS   FROM  THE   TALMUD. 


ntoS  rttaSan  tSb  k1?  (360) 

:  •  t        t    :    -  I    v   t  sv/         ' 

masts  htozrb  pirrp  rm^-x^ 

r\z*\n  rrtri  mth  dx 
....      T      T  . - T 

••     :  -  t   t  J :  •    : 

♦  TinWs  '■dp  ttS  dW»# 

I  v  t    •..   :  -   :  I  :  ••  -    :  f 

B*|?*w^  on?^  {&©£  jrT! 


GEMS   FROM   THE  TALMUD.  1 67 

Without  Haste,    Without  Rest. 

(360)  Not  thine  the  labour  to  complete, 

And  yet  thou  art  not  free  to  cease ! 

Hast  thou  much  knowledge  gained,  thy  sweet 

Reward  as  largely  shall  increase. 

And  faithful  is  thy  Lord  in  heaven, 

Who  will  requite  thy  labour  great  ; 

But  know !  rewards,  to  good  men  given, 

Are  given  in  a  future  state. 

{Aboth  II.  21). 


INDEX. 


Aaron,  disciples  of,  18. 
Abraham,  true  child  of,  15  ;  his 
death,  256  ;  his  faith  in  God, 

335- 
Aching  heart,  98. 

Actions,  40-41,  223-236;  sur- 
passing the  creation,  248 ;  a 
shield  against  punishment, 
289 ;  surpassing  eternal  life, 
292  ;  requiring  courage,  309  ; 
aim  of  life,  313. 

Adam  deems  labour  a  blessing, 
1 75  ;  seeing  the   first  sunset, 

355- 
Alms,  2,  8. 

Ambition,  152-154. 

Anger,  51  ;  index  of  character, 

239  ;  of  God,  338. 

Animals,  kindness  to,  203. 

Appearances,  63-65. 

Artisans,  173-176. 

Associates,  204-209. 

Atonement,  day  of,  291. 

Authority,  84. 

Benevolence,  1,3;  Jewish  char- 
acteristic, 17  ;  pillar  of  society, 

74- 
Birth  and  death,  320. 

Burdens,  307. 
Care,  156. 


Celibacy,  86. 
Character,  239,  240. 
Charity,  2-4,  11-12. 
Children,  to  be  trained,  94  ;  of 

the  poor,  125  ;  of  the  schools, 

128-130;    must   be    taught   a 

trade,  176. 
Cities,    their    guardians,     124 ; 

without   schools,    1 30 ;    new, 

339- 
Comforting,  52. 

Contempt,  43. 

Contentment,  160. 

Contrition,  293. 

Courage,  309. 

Courtesy,  26. 

Creation,  244,  246,  248. 

Death,  320-323  ;  preferable  to 
isolation,  47  ;  of  a  wife,  96  ; 
of  good  men,  236,  252,  254- 
256 ;  not  without  sin,  280 ; 
of  man  and  beast,  316. 

Dependence,  165. 

Disciples,  learning  from,  115. 

Discontent,  161,  163. 

Dress,  350. 

Drink,  239,  348. 

Eccentricity,  61. 
Economy,  345"346- 


lyo 


INDEX. 


Education,  pillar  of  society,  74  ; 
universal,  106;  elevates,  108  ; 
with  labour,  177;  its  object, 
227  ;  requires  courage,  309. 

Egyptians,     drowning    of    the, 

341- 
Elegy,  256-257,  324. 

Envy,  162-163. 

Evil,  251  ;  thoughts,  274. 

Example,  parental,  68. 

Eye,  agent  of  sin,  269. 

Faith,  217  ;  of  Abraham,  335. 

Falsehood,  194. 

Fame,  109  ;  posthumous,  316. 

Fear  of  God,  218-219. 

Fear  of  sin,  133,  271. 

Fools,  131,  189,  251,  356. 

Forbearance,  44,  358. 

Forgiveness,  45. 

Fortune,  310. 

Freedom,  119. 

Free-masons,  123. 

Free-will,  295-298. 

Friends,  turned  from  foes,  46 ; 
of  the  rich,  48;  parting  from, 
49 ;  to  be  chosen,  89 ;  of 
God,  358. 

Friendship,  47. 

Gentiles,  charity  atones  for 
them,  4 ;  elevated  by  study, 
108  ;  judged  by  God,  334. 

Gentleness,  155. 

God,  how  best  glorified,  14 ; 
how  to  please  Him,  42  ;  and 
man's  parents,  66 ;  dwells 
with  the  meek,  144  ;  His  will, 


220-221  ;  how  to  serve  Him, 
222  ;  acting  in  His  name, 
225  ;  deals  with  the  righteous, 
251  ;  who  shall  not  see  Him, 
261  ;  and  man's  passions, 
263  ;  His  saving  grace,  264  ; 
proclaims  the  secret  sinner, 
278  ;  faith  in  Him,  335  ;  His 
mercy,  338,  340,  341  ;  His 
friends,  358. 

Golden  rule,  the,  22. 

Good  heart,  13. 

Good  men,  240-259  ;  their 
special  heavenly  mansions, 
317  ;  tears  over,  325. 

Good  name,  197,  316. 

Gratitude,  misplaced,  56. 

Guests,  71. 

Habit,  force  of,  281-282. 
Hatred,    19 ;    breaks   the   rule, 

21. 
Heart,  a  good,  13  ;  agent  of  sin, 

270  ;  benumbed  by  sin,  276. 
Heaven,     235,     292,    311-312, 

3H-3I5,  317-318. 
Heroes,  46,  185. 
Honesty,  36-37. 
Honour,    27-29 ;    derived    from 

conduct,   41  ;  to  parents,  66  ; 

to  a  wife,  91,  94. 
Hope,  210,  213. 
Humility,  142-144. 
Hypocrites,  261. 

Idolatry,    of    the    heart,    267  ; 

eschewed,  342. 
Ignorance,  132-135,  137,  149. 


INDEX. 


171 


Impostors,  354. 

Improving     others,      58  ;      one 

another,  11 7-1 18. 
Independence,  166-168. 
Inevitable,  the,  349. 
Inferiors,  53-54  ;  learning  from, 

116  ;  ruling  them,  136. 
Ingratitude,  55. 
Intelligence,  100. 
Intentions,  232. 
Israel — see  Jews. 

Jews,  their  characteristics,  17  ; 
their  loyalty,  83,  85;  their 
suffering,  305-306  ;  judged  by 
God,   334;   name  of  "Jew,' 

342. 
Judges,  79-80. 
Judging,  our  neighbour,  23-25  ; 

of  God,  298,  333-334- 
Justice,  73,  81-82. 

Kind  words,  6. 

Knowledge,  105,  109-110;  pos- 
sessed by  the  sons  of  the 
poor,  125  ;  stays  with  the 
humble,  142  ;  and  fear  of 
Heaven,  219 ;  accompanies 
the  dead,  236. 

Labour,  168-177  >'  agricultural, 
178,  184. 

Land,  178-180,  184. 

Leaders,  77-78. 

Leading,  135-136,  201. 

Learning,  1 14-1 18;  from  sin- 
ners,   127  ;   from  every  man, 

139- 


Liars,  their  punishment,  195  ; 
shall  not  see  God,  261. 

Life,  3 1 1-3 16. 

Livelihood,  earned  by  a  wife, 
97  ;  demands  divine  aid,  181. 

Loquacity,  woman's,  104. 

Love  of  humanity,  18 :  disin- 
terested, 20  ;  breaks  the  rule, 
21  ;  of  God,  358. 

Loyalty,  83,  85. 

Madness,  temporary,  275. 
Man,    beloved    of    God,    299 ; 

compared  to  grass,  327. 
Mankind,  18,  42. 
Marriage,  87-89,  94,  180. 
Measure  for  measure,  332. 
Mercy,    14-17;    of    God,    338, 

340-34I- 

Merit,  90,  237-238. 

Messiah,  God's  Messiahs,  128  ; 
Messianic  time,  359. 

Moderation,  200. 

Modesty,  199. 

Money,  marrying  for  it,  88 ; 
index  of  character,  239  ;  puri- 
fies the  ignoble,  347. 

Mourning,  52,  324. 

• 

Nature,  355"357- 

Obedience,    to    authority,    84 ; 

to  God,  220-221,  316. 
Old  age,  101,  294,  328-331. 
Omniscience,  298. 
Oppression,  359. 

Parents,  66-68. 


172 


INDEX. 


Parting,  49. 

Partners,  353. 

Passions,  185,  229,  262 ;  and 
God,  263-264  ;  and  the  Torah, 
268  ;  grow  stronger,  264-266. 

Peace,  between  man  and  God, 
3  ;  to  be  loved,  18  ;  its  im- 
portance, 72-73 ;  domestic, 
94 ;  increased  by  scholars, 
122. 

Penitent,  the,  288,  294. 

Perjury,  192-193. 

Persecution,  145,  358. 

Perseverance,  183. 

Piety,  74,  133-134. 
♦    Pleasures,  315. 

Poor,  the,  5-6 ;  without  friends, 
48  ;  their  children,  125. 

Position,  182. 

Poverty,  95  ;  of  the  mind,  149. 

Praise,  57  ;  to  God,  214. 

Prayer,  50,  215-216;  requires 
courage,  309. 

Preaching  and  practice,  230. 

Pride,  146-150. 

Procrastination,  107,  164,  287. 

Progress,  11 2- 113. 

Prophets,  131,  138,  150. 

Providence,  faith  in,  217  ; 
special,  336-337. 

Prudence,  188. 

Punishment,  for  perjury,  193  ; 
of  liars,  195  ;  a  shield  against 
it,  289  ;  of  fools,  356. 

Quarrels,  domestic,  95. 

Rain,  336. 


Rejoicing  in  suffering,  303,  358. 

Reparation,  290-291. 

Repentance,  the  aim  of  wisdom, 
226  ;  when  impossible,  234, 
285  ;  in  time,  286-287 ;  a 
shield,  289  ;  a  taste  of  heaven, 
292. 

Reproving,  59-60. 

Resignation,  21 1-2 12,  221. 

Responsibility,  300-301. 

Resurrection,  336. 

Rewards,  222,  228,  302,  308, 
312,  360. 

Rich,  the,  48. 

Sacrifices,  2. 

Satan,  269. 

Scholars,     in,     113,     116-117, 

122-123,  127,  132,  184. 
Schools,  children  of,  128-130. 
Scoffers,  261. 
Self-assurance,  198. 
Self-control,  186. 
Self-indulgence,  187. 
Self-reliance,  164. 
Self-reverence,  characteristic  of 

Jews,   17;  not  prone  to  sin, 

284. 
Servants,  69-70. 
Shame,  29-33  ;  felt  by  woman, 

102. 
Shamelessness,  283. 
Sick,  the,  10. 
Silence,  189-190. 
Sin,   234,  270-285  ;  atoned  for, 

291  ;    cleansed    by   suffering, 

304  ;  less  in  new  cities,  339. 
Sincerity,  196. 


INDEX. 


173 


Sinless,  the,  294. 

Sinners,      258-260,      278-279  ; 

their  fall,  340-341. 
Slander,  34-35. 
Slanderers,  261. 
Smartness,  352. 
Society,  73-75. 
Soul,    divine    image,    299 ;    its 

purity,  319. 
Speech,  190. 
Spirits,  344. 
Spiritual  gifts,  141. 
Statues,  253. 
Study,   not  to  be  delayed,  107  ; 

aim  of  life,   316  ;  its  reward, 

360. 
Submission,  62. 
Suffering,  280,  301-304. 

Tables  of  stone,  343. 
Teachers,  115,  124. 


Teaching,  126. 

Tears,  325-326. 

Testimonials,  231. 

Thieves,  38,  215,  351. 

Thoughts,  evil,  274. 

Torah,  the,  1,  119-121  ;  and  the 

passions,  268. 
Trouble,  76,  157-159- 
Truth,  73,  191,  194. 

Usury,  39. 


Wife,  90-93,  96-99. 

Wisdom,  138-141  ;  and 
deeds,  223  ;  its  aim, 
and  fear  of  sin,  271. 

Woman,  100-104. 

Words,  unseemly,  202. 

World,  the,  129,  241-245. 

Youth,  294,  328-33i- 


good 
226  ; 


CORRIGENDA. 


Page 

No. 

Line 

Word 

Letter       Read 

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(20) 

3 

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2 

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ft 

Page 

118,  No. 

,  (255),  reference  (* 

Tp  nmriD) 

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rr  mro). 

Page 

67,  No. 

(142),  line 

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